On-call 24/7

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I work in LTC, 6p-6a. I am an LPN, night shift supervisor. I work the floor on my shift whenever a nurse calls-off, which is freq. I also am on-call one week every 8 weeks. That means I come in on my nights off if needed or come in early. We have 7 day-shift managers that also take turns being on-call. Well, I was told last week that I now need to be on-call during the day-time also, during my week of call. They don't expect me to work all night and then all day, but if I am off then I need to come in and be available for the whole shift. The thing is, I do not expect the on-call day managers to work at night when I am there, I work the floor whether I am on-call or not. And when they are on call and have to work a floor, they all pitch in and split the shift up, 2 managers at a time in 2 hour shifts. If it was me having to come in on days, it would be me only for 12 hrs. Get the picture? Help! I am ready to quit.:angryfire

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

I would have a brief meeting with whomever decided you had to take call for the whole 24 hours. I would inform them that you will not do this and if they insist you will no longer be an employee starting right now and then the day shift supervisors will all be covering 24/7.

No matter what their decision is have them put it in writing and sign and date it. Keep a copy in a safe place.

Say thank you for your time and remember to close the door when you leave the room.

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Sorry but I don't have any suggestions. With people calling in sick all the time and shortstaffing, this 24/7 accountability is the norm. I finally quit my job that required this because it wasn't worth giving my life for.

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Specializes in CNA/ ALF & Hospital.

I know the feelin', I'm doin' PRN at an Assisted Living Facility BUT.... I am promised every Tuesday and Wednesday for the 2:30-11p shift b/c the girl that was doing it isnt able to now b/c of her being a college student fulltime now. I am working that until I can get an interview the the hospital on 5 positions I am that I know will be more occupied there than at the assisted living where i'm at now.

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I would say "absolutely, and every time one of my aides calls in I will be sure to call and wake you up in the middle of your night to come in and work the floor since your too cheap to hire enough people to appropriately staff your facility". But thats just me because if I were you I would be on my way out the door like yestrday.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I find it hard to believe that with 7 days shift managers they need you to be one call as well.

I would definately call in a day shift manager on shift and not come in when you're not on call when they call you at night.

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Thanks all for giving me room to vent. We are usually well staffed but recently we have had a problem with nurses calling off for day shift especially. The day shift managers DO NOT want to work the floor..........ever, if they can work out a way to get out of it. They look terrified, or ****** off, spend as little time at the cart as possible and run away as fast as they can. I work the floor a lot at night. I don't mind it, either. And I don't expect one of them to come in and work a floor at night so I can supervise and get MY work done.....I wouldn't think of it.:nurse:

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