Being on call

I really hate being on call. Honestly, it is rare to get a call that is actually of urgernt necessity. Mostly stuff like, "My nurse didn't show up today" or "I need to cancel my appt tomorrow." Or my favorite, a call I got a 2 am from a new ER social worker who had heard of us but didn't know what we do, so without apology and with a day time chipper voice he inquired about our services, etc. etc. It was a 2am SALES call!! But, I still hate call because of the first time I was on call.

I got a genuinely distressing call at 1:30 am, I was awakened out of a deep sleep. I don't have children, so am not at all "used to" being abruptly awakened for ANY reason. I proceeded to bawl my head off for HOURS, I was so distressed over being awakened after working a 12 hour day with another 12 hour day ahead of me. I hardly slept after I went to see the patient, and got home. The whole this was just awful. So, since that was my first on call night ever, I am anxious and tense every time I'm on call now. I just hate it.