Being called off.

catshowlady · Sep 4, 2009

Most non-union employers can make whatever rules they want. On my unit, you can say you don't want to go home, and they will move on to the next person on the list. Often, someone will be willing to go in your place. If not,though, you will be mandated to go if your turn is up.

FLArn · Sep 4, 2009

I think if they follow their published policy regarding the handling of staffing during low census days; they can pretty much do whatever they want. Our employee handbook states that staffing is done according to the needs of the facility, so if they call you off then you can take a PDO or take the day without pay. The pool (or occasional staff) are canceled first then part time people then full time people.

pedihemoncRN · Sep 4, 2009

We keep a list of whos turn it is to be on call/called off. If you dont want to take your turn they keep going down the list, if no one else wants it you have to take it. We also do pulls the same way, keep a list and if it's your turn you go....

meandragonbrett · Sep 4, 2009

I don't know what the policies are in NJ. I looked though the NJDON and other state offices and couldn't find any information.

The board of nursing does not make employment laws. The board of nursing governs the practice of nursing only. This is pretty standard at most hospitals. Usually somebody wants to be canceled so it's not a big deal, but your employment is contingent on census....especially as a part time employee.

stressgal, RN · Sep 4, 2009

We keep a list of whos turn it is to be on call/called off. If you dont want to take your turn they keep going down the list, if no one else wants it you have to take it. We also do pulls the same way, keep a list and if it's your turn you go....

Pretty much how it's done at my facility too. The one bad thing about my facility is that if you are put on low census you are on call. They could potentially call you back anytime during the shift. But hey, we make a whopping $2.50/hr for being on call. As a matter of fact I was sent home today and am making money as I answer this. LOL. And of course hoping the phone doesn't ring at this point. No one likes taking low census and using PTO to cover the pay, but times are tough and nursing jobs aren't exactly plentiful where I live so you do what you must.

JomoNurse · Sep 4, 2009

yup. that's a non-union hospital for you. they'll make any rules they please and you have no choice but to follow them. i work at a union hospital and low census is optional. we aren't required to take it.

AnnaN5 · Sep 4, 2009

I work at a union hospital and we have guidelines in our contract regarding low census. If the census is low and they need to low need nurses for the upcoming shift then they start at the top of the seniority list and call to see who would like to take the shift off. If they do not get volunteers then they lowest senior people are mandated off, you do not have a choice. Most of the time they find people who are willing to take the shift off.

My question for the people who are union and low census is still optional, what do they do with all of the extra staff? Say they need to low need 2 nurses and no one volunteers, do all the nurses still come in?

Jami RN, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2009

My unit lets people volunteer for a day off for low census, but if no one wants a "VTO" then we go by last date called off and we do not give people a choice. As a supervisor, I am not going to call every single nurse on my unit to see if they want the day off because someone else doesn't want a mandatory time off. I do not have enough time in the day. Usually, it is not an issue because someone wants a VTO, but in times of extended low census, everyone has to take their turn.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2009

We've been so low lately that not ONLY do you put down the last day you lost hours...you now have to write if you lost 6 hrs(1/2 shift for going home or coming in at 11) or the full 12. That way you don't come in ahead of someone who's lost 24 hours, if you've only lost 18....that's where I'm at tonight. Not even close to getting called in, so I'm safe....

RNKPCE · Sep 5, 2009

We have a daily list for people who want to be called off so if census allows those people are cancelled based on her has been cancelled the least in the last 90 days. If that is equal they go by seniority, most senior person is granted the day off. If no one wants to be cancelled they give a mandated day off to the person with the least amount of time cancelled in previous 90 days, if that is equal least senior person is cancelled.

New employees can't volunteer or be mandated on low census days during their probation period of 180 days. This is so they can actually work to get the experience they need and for the hospital to see how the employee is going to fit.

I work at a union hospital.

mindlor · Sep 5, 2009

When I graduate.....

I will be working in a union environment...or I wont work........

Otherwise, "the man" will have his way.......

Most people that are non-union have never worked in a union setting and have no idea how different it can be.......

Don't get me wrong....you live by the contract and die by the contract......you won't get as much flexibility from management at a union hospital if you want them to be lenient when the contract is working against you......