Can I be required to take call??

[jwils]

I work as a RN in a urology unit in CT. We are non-union. Each day we are assigned to either pre-op, circulator or (urology) PACU. We were hired to work: Monday -Friday, day shift, No weekends, holidays or on call. We just had a meeting with our head manager telling us we are going to be required to start signing up to cover weekend call in the Main OR PACU (where we have never been officially trained). Can they do this?? 
 

I feel this is a major safety issue for patients and my license. I’m not sure who to contact and I don’t feel comfortable signing up to work on call in an entirely different department. Not to mention I live outside the allowed “30 mins” from the hospital.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

They can. You are required to perform " other duties as assigned". The best you can hope for is an orientation to the unit.

 Did anyone in the meeting open a discussion to the new requirements?

 

[Sour Lemon]

52 minutes ago, jwils said:

I work as a RN in a urology unit in CT. We are non-union. Each day we are assigned to either pre-op, circulator or (urology) PACU. We were hired to work: Monday -Friday, day shift, No weekends, holidays or on call. We just had a meeting with our head manager telling us we are going to be required to start signing up to cover weekend call in the Main OR PACU (where we have never been officially trained). Can they do this?? 
 

I feel this is a major safety issue for patients and my license. I’m not sure who to contact and I don’t feel comfortable signing up to work on call in an entirely different department. Not to mention I live outside the allowed “30 mins” from the hospital.

Yes, they can change the terms of your employment. Any questions should be asked in a humble and information-seeking way ...unless you're willing and ready to walk away from the job entirely.

 

[Chickenlady]

They sure can and as long as they orient you to the new dept. good luck saying that you aren't qualified.  Considering that you are more than 30 minutes away, I would certainly discuss that with your manager because there is no way you would meet the response time unless you hung out nearby your whole call shift.  They may relax that requirement.  Everywhere I have worked, they give us an hour from call to clock in.