on call hours for L&D

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 8, 2007

Good points above, Peg. JCAHO is KEENLY interested in reducing preventable errors (as we all darn well should be). Studies bear out over and over through the years, extended shifts and overtime are dangerous and error rates rise enormously. Heck, even some residency programs for dr's are looking at a change of the way things are done due to human error that ends up harming somebody.

We simply are not sharp when we work 16 hours or even more, nor are we sharp when we are working 60 or 70 hours a week. I have seen this time and again, how bad it can go when this happens. Just say NO to ridiculous hours and unreasonable overtime, is what we all need to do to protect ourselves and our patients.

Renee75 · Jun 9, 2007

I know it's ridiculous at my place but walking is not optional right now. I was laid off from another hospital last fall and lucky to find work in OB. I have to feed my family and provide insurance. It's work here or not work in OB. Not much of a choice right now. If it gets worse I may consider other optons.

moon25 · Jun 10, 2007

Renee75:

what state do you work in? I thought with the nursing shortage, it would be pretty easy for nurses to find work. I have only really been at one hospital since graduating nursing school, and have never really had to go job hunting, so let me know if I am wrong.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 10, 2007

I dunno, where I am, there is plenty to choose from. I would not stand for being forced into mandated 16 hour shifts or plugged into holes without checking with me for availability. I have a life outside work, just like anyone else. And life is short.

I am sorry you feel so trapped. I hope you can someday find a position that is more agreeable for you.

Renee75 · Jun 10, 2007

Sorry for late reply..I worked til 3am and will go back in a couple of hours. I work in Ohio. It seems like there is a shortage but there really isn't as far as I can see. Sometimes units post jobs but they aren't hiring because the unit doesn't really have the money to spend. I have come across that a few times. I don't know why they even bother to post jobs that they have no intention of filling. OB jobs are hard to come by. But like I said, you can see jobs in the newspaper, but when you go to apply it's "sorry...try again later...

I got to go eat, shower...and back at it again...talk to you all later

rnin02 · Jun 11, 2007

I'm not sure what L&D has to do, but for postpartum/nursery/nicu, we have to sign up for 20 hours of call time for a 6 week schedule...that's full and part time. I think PRN has to do 12 hours? I'm not too sure. The problem for us is that nursery/pp/nicu all have the "sheet" to sign up on, and there is only room for one nurse per shift to be on call...so some shifts we might really need another PP nurse, but a nursery only nurse is on call, or we need a nicu nurse but its a PP nurse on call. Kinda dumb, I think...

Renee75 · Jun 12, 2007

I think our problem is that we run on just a bare minimum crew. We have 3 RN's for our unit or 2 RN's and 1 LPN. We are L&D, PP and nursery AND GYN overflow. So we are quite stressed out. When we have an emergency C-Section, it takes all 3 of us to run a room...and who's watching the floor?? You might have guessed it...the secretary. Isn't that sad? So when somebody calls off, it is such a hardship. Last week I had to call the supervisor to watch the floor while we did a section. The poor lady didn't have a clue how to take care of anyone...but she did walk around and make sure people were safe and got them ice water and stuff. I wish we (nurses) could get handle on this healthcare crisis that we are in. Are other places running on a skeleton crew like we are??? Incidentally we are a 10 bed PP unit with 4 labor rooms. Sometimes we are all full. So you can see how very stressfull it can be on 3 nurses. When it's full like that our manager does go out on the floor and help, like maybe she'll "catch" all the babies and stuff like that. I don't know. I think we just need more money to hire more people.

brassknob · Jun 15, 2007

We do on-call from 3pm through 7am mon-fri and 24 hour on the weekend. full time does 16 hours in 4week block

part-time does 20 hours in 4 week block

per deims do 24 hours in a four week block

We are current not filling the complete on-call schedule even if everyone does their required call time we are about 80 hour short or 20, 4 hour blocks. They want us all to pick up and extra 4 hour block in the 4 week period. This is not going over very well especially because we need to work extra shifts to cover summer vacations. does any one have any ideas? also What dollor amount do you receive to be on call and what do you make if you are called in.

rnin02 · Jun 15, 2007

We are currently getting $5 (or maybe $5.50?) for on call, but will be moving up to $7.50 soon. If you are called in it is time and 1/2

aunttae · Jun 15, 2007

It varies cycle to cycle. Each cycle has 4 weeks in it. This cycle we are up to 36 hours of manditory on call. We have lost a few nurses this past month so God ony knows how many hous we will be required to do in July

Renee75 · Jun 16, 2007

Aunttae....you sound like me! Rough isn't it? I'm on call again tonight from 11pm (sat) to 11am (Sun..Father's Day no less). I actually put in an application somewhere else last week. Wish me luck!

aunttae · Jun 16, 2007

Hey Renee75, Just got word that we will have to take 44 hours on the next cycle. You know, I really love what I do and most of the people I do it with. Its just too much and there is no end in sight. :madface: I have 2 interviews next week. GOOD LUCK to you!