Getting "Called Off"

[peds4now]

Ok, stupid question from student nurse who's only worked in a corporate environment for the last 15 years (i.e., stable hours/salary). What exactly is "getting called off"? Does that mean that if I am a staff RN and I am scheduled for a shift, they can just call and tell me forget it, you can't come? How is anyone supposed to have a budget and earn a living like that? Or is it just if you are per diem? Please enlighten me. This is alarming!! If "getting called off" is what I think it is, how do you deal with it?

The healthcare industry in general, and hospitals in particular, seem so f-I mean messed up when it comes to personnel/staffing/payroll!

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

I love being called off by the way - I'm part time anyway and my goal is not to work at all.

steph

Oh, me too! I work per diem, so I'm almost always the first one called. BUT, by contract the nurse has the choice of taking call or being called off. They usually don't phrase it properly. Last week, it was "We're putting you on/call." When I called back and said I'd take it as a call-off, they got all bent out of shape because they wouldn't have coverage "if anything happens." Well, that's not my problem.

So rumor has it that the next time I "refuse" (nurse manager's word) to take call, they will float me instead. Well, now we get into the language that include threats. And I don't play that game.

[Lisky90]

I worked per diem in Postpartum as a CNA/student nurse; this happened to me ALL the time. It was called recall, and it was something that occurred with all positions. When I graduated in May that was something I made sure I asked about when interviewing for RN positions. I was told by one L&D nurse mgr "no, we don't do that...the nurses are union...they would never stand for that." It was very frustrating to plan for a shift, hire a babysitter, and then get a call with two hours notice that I was put on recall. Which meant that I had an hour to get to work if they decided they were busy enough to call me in. I had to either cancel my babysitter...or put her on recall. There were times that they would put me on recall for the first four hours of my shift and tell me to call back to check in for the last 4 hours. There were times that the charge nurse would get too busy, and not realize that there was a need for recall due to low census, staff would show up only to be told they were recalled. If the charge nurse didn't figure things correctly the wrong person would be recalled; this created constant tension, arguments and accusations that those in charge were playing favorites. It was soooooo frustrating and yes it definately destroyed my budget. Why did I do it and not complain? A. I was per diem and could not commit to anything but per diem and per diem staff is the first to be recalled and B. Because I felt that as a student I had landed my dream job in Maternity and didn't want to make waves. Did they hire me when I finished school and take me on as an RN? No...due to an anticipated low census they couldn't justify putting me through a novice nurse training program. I would be very aware of this issue and if your facility uses any type of recall/on call...or whatever they choose to call it...I would definatley find out all the details, how it is tracked and who keeps track. As a student, I tried not to let it bother me...there were things that came up with school, unexpectedly that made me grateful to have an unplanned night off. However, now that I am working as a permanent, full time RN...with accrued time off...I don't know how that system would work with budgeting or with planning time off.

[dorimar, BSN, RN]

With the nursing shortage, it doesn't happen often in my experience. however, in seasonal "snow bird" areas, the summers may be slower than the winters, and consequently at times we may be overstaffed in the off season. Usually there are nurses beating each other up to get the "low census day" off. One problem I have run into in the past was being told to stay home but, being told to be avialable "on call". NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! If i am using my PAID TIME OFF then I AM OFF. period. If i choose to be avialiable after they tell me they don't need me, well then that's my choice. No one can force me to be available after they make me change my plans to work int the first place. Another reason is that I have a son and I work nights. They don't know if I have a husband at home or if he works nights as well and may work a registry shift since i am home now,or whatatever. after they say your not needed you may have cancled your child care plans and are no longer available. Whatever the reason, if they cancel you, it is up to YOU if you want to be "available" to come in or not.

[DawnFL]

Some places won't allow you to use vacation time or personal time to make up the difference.