Do you feel "on call" even when you're not?

[ceecel.dee]

At a recent community concert, the general surgeon's pager went off, he goes to the lobby to call the hospital, then comes back through the door and begins to look over the audience. I get up and make my way back to him. 3 other nurses soon follow. There was a 2 vehicle MVA, with one of them carrying 5 boys from a birthday party. We all left immediately to help out.

Do all rural nurses feel compelled to run in, regardless of whether they are on call or not? (No wonder it feels like we are never away from the job!).

[New.RN]

I'm in a fly-in community. We are always on call... even when we are not. It get's ruff sometimes. After 6 months of "on-call" with no break your a little burnt out!

But I love my job... where else would I get called in to do anything from plastic surgery or help deliver a baby.