I have a question that I am hoping to get answered here. I am a recent grad who is beginning to see the reality of working in a hospital, and the issues that I did not know existed when I was interviewing for work. One of the biggest that I can see at the moment is the issue of low census, and the policy at my hospital is as follows: I am scheduled for 36 hours per week ( 3, 12.5 hour shifts). At any time, if there is a low patient census, we are told (in rotation) to not come in, and will not be paid. However, we are expected to wait by the phone from 7 until 11, because they are able to call us back in any time during this four hour period. We are NOT paid for any of this time, and if called in, are only paid for the time we are clocked in once we get there, even though we were scheduled for and available to work for the entire shift. It also has happened once a person comes to work. You clock in, work an hour or so,and then are told to go home. However, you are also told that they might need you at 11, so you might have to come back. I saw a nurse actually do this two weeks ago. She was not paid for any of her time wasted on 2 trips to the hospital, waiting around, etc. Is this normal? Is this actually going on at other hospitals? PLEASE, tell me what your hospital's low census policy is. Are you paid for at least a minimum of say 4 hours? Do you have to wait around to be recalled? I am dying to know! This seems absolutely crazy to me. Thanks!
