Acute nurse question

[Joni's Mom]

Those of you working in the Acute Care system I have a question.

I work both Acute (which I just started), and Chronic. I am scheduled to work 4 days/wk.

On the weekends I will be scheduled to work Acute and be on-call both Sat/Sun at $2.00/hr. Saturday is considered 1 of my 4days/wk, but Sunday is not counted as a day. So I could be scheduled Monday, Wed, Fri. and Sat and just give them Sun and a no count day. Which to me is just giving up a day. Yes I do get the $2.00/hr and if I get called in it's time and a half pay, but not a day that counts on my schedule.

I was wondering if this is a common practice.

[Joni's Mom]

The last 6 nurses were hired for both acute and chronic, but no one stepped up to the plate except for me. Which I now understand was stupid. I didn't know I had a choice.

I'll be on my 11th month learning dialysis the middle of Sept will be a year.

I don't know anything about the mandated overtime, oncall or rest periods.

I was wondering about break periods and lunch breaks when your the only nurse on and can't take breaks or lunch. Whats the legislation on that also where do you look?

It also looks like Friday I'll be the only nurse on the unit and will be putting in a 14 hour day. Then I'll be oncall on my no count Sat and Sunday, Lucky me.

Thank you so much for listening. I'll also be writing down some of your questions.

Thanks again

[Tish88]

http://www.dol.gov/whd/

U.S. Department of Labor - wage and hour division.

Look up your state.

Many states don't have any legislation on breaks or lunch breaks unless you are under the age of 14!!!

Medicare doesn't have any restrictions either other than there is a licensed nurse "in the facility" -- they don't say that they have to be "on the unit!!!"

[Tish88]

I think there are only 8-9 states that have break/lunch break requirements.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/rest.htm

[Tish88]

Joni's mom, I just sent you a private message.

I hope the information helps you out!