required to work 24hour shift on weekends

[callbabe]

I need to know how many of you also have to work 24hr shifts on weekends.

Where you are at,you do not have to be specific, ex: state, city. If it is policy and how long it has been in effect. I am trying to gather statistics, for MONA.

I have been working toward making these long shifts illegal. 12hours Max. I am a RN, I work in the OR, and have for a very long time. I believe that it will be a good retention tool also. As a very young nurse these hours did not bother me, but now 30 years later they do. Now I belive that it is not a safe working condition for my patients either. Mona believes that after 12hours a nurse should have an 8 hour rest period. Management just doesn't see it that way.

Please respond so I can send my info to congress.

[mcmike55]

I agree, 24 hours on, working, expected, is a lot to ask on a routine basis.

From reading other posts, we have all done it, it's part of the OR job.

But I agree, that as I get older....no wait...more seasoned...that's not right, it makes me sound like a steak....as I become a more veteran nurse, I find that working a regular shift the next day, and the day after (worse) after pulling an all night-er, gets harder and harder. Physically, emotionally and mentally.

We do weekend CALL, 7a Saturday to 7a Monday, but rarely has been a real problem, I hope I'm not jinxing myself.

There's only 6 OR RN's, and we all have an agreement to help each other out, sick kid, up all night, etc. The problem is finding someone, someone that does not have ETOH on board, to relieve. But, is normally works out.

It's also been our tradition to kick the post call people out first the next day when the schedule permits.

It's totally true in my mind...it all evens out......eventually. :chuckle

Mike

P.S. call doesn't bother me, I'll take call all week if I'm not physically in the OR. Though I do think you don't sleep as well when on call. But, hey, at least you're horizontal!!

Mike :chuckle

[shodobe]

I think when you start to look at the state labor laws to save you from long hours of work, you are in the wrong job. I guess you could call your nurse manager at 11pm and say, "you know, I just finished my 16 straight and according to state labor laws I don't have to stay. You will just have to find someone to finish out MY CALL." Sounds ridiculous doesn't it. Possible long hours of call and long worked hours are part of the game. Nobody wants to do it and there is no real answer except to break up call hours so no one gets stuck working 16+ hours. Every facility has ways to get around this. Small ones, 2-4 rooms, seem to have the biggest problem because they have a smaller staff. Large ones, 8 rooms or more, seem to have a better handle on it because of their staff size. I am not saying because you have a larger staff you will have no problems, I don't think so.This are things to consider for all newbies thinking about going in OR nursing, just how long "could" I potentially work when on call. I like call because on call you get to do the odd, wierd cases that you wouldn't do on schedule. Give me all the call work I can squeeze into a 24 hour period. This is just me, I am a bit odd at times. Mike