Per Diem vs On call...Position different from what was offered.

[BettyBoopsRN]

Hello all,

I wanted to ask some opinions on per diem vs on call. I have been an RN for 10 years, during which I have worked full time, part time and per diem. During most of my per diem work, I would typically call in at the beginning of the month, after all FT and PT nurses were scheduled, and then fill in the needed shifts.

I recently started a position that was advertised as a per diem position. During the interview I was told it was 8-4 and I was needed 2 days a week. Those 2 days will vary, but are flexible. I was told the main reason I was being hired was to cover 2 afternoons a week at a hospital. This is not a pt care position, but a liaison position. However this company covers many other facilities and doctors offices. I was told part of my job would be marketing, and the other part would be handling referrals for homecare.

After accepting and orientation, it started to become apparent that I was only going to be used to cover that hospital in the afternoon regularly and the morning of visiting other facilities and marketing was not part of the job.

I am required to drive to the hospital (40 min each way) , make an appearance, complete the referrals, if any, then leave. If there are no referrals, I must visits several of the admin offices and then leave, this would take about 20 mins. I am paid for mileage, but not for driving time. Which I think is pretty standard. I must time stamp on a computer when I arrive and when I leave. The other FT and PT nurse are paid for full 8 hour days, so they are paid for their driving time as well as mileage.

Here is the issue. I approached my supervisor about the position being posted as an 8 hr position, and how it appears it will only be about an hour or two in the afternoon. I was then told that on a day that I am scheduled for the hospital in the afternoon, if a referral comes in at another facility that morning, they will call me to go there. I explained during the interview that I cannot do on call. They said this in not an on call position. However, I am expected to be available all day on my scheduled day but I'm not being paid unless I get a referral. (I am not being asked to do any marketing anymore).

I am working tomorrow in the afternoon and I have already scheduled a doctor's appointment and car service for the morning. I have 3 kids, my husband works shift work at the hospital and I take online classes towards my BSN. I simply cannot sit around waiting for a call and not getting paid for it.

Does this sound like an on call position? This was not told to me when I interviewed for the job. Is it ok to expect me to be available but not pay me to stay available?

Also, I was expecting more hours, obviously, and originally my husband was going to ask his boss to work around my schedule (which is no issue) and put my husband on a few nights a week so I have at least 2 days available. This might result in a few less hours since their blocks of time aren't all 12s (he's a PA, they have various shifts). Now that I might only have some days that I'm getting paid for about 20 mins, we don't think its worth him losing hours or requesting nights (which of course stink), but my job requires I give them 2 days. I did agree to it, but I agreed to that when I was being offered two 8 hour shifts. I don't think I would have taken this job if I knew then what I know now.

However, I don't want to leave on a bad note. This is a fairly large company, and even if they dropped that ball, I'm sure they wont tell it that way for a future reference. Also I am returning to work after 2 years of from being home with my baby. I don't want a bad reference right after a long work gap.

[ceccia]

this job sounds ridiculous. disorganized at best, trying to take advantage of you at worst. NO it is not ok for them to expect you to be on call without giving you on-call pay. even though the on-call pay at most places is insanely low, the fact they're not even offering anything for your time is a red flag. so is the fact that the job description and hours keep changing every time you talk to them.

[VANurse2010]

Basically, your job sucks. Find something else that actually has hours.

[caliotter3]

It is clear to me that you cannot afford to sit around waiting for a call and not get paid for it. They misrepresented the position and that may keep them from finding your replacement.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

look for a new job and when you have it, quit this one...

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

talk to HR once more and tell them it is not cost effective for YOU if you drive in several times vs. 2 days/week. Ask if they options. If not, say thanks, and start looking elsewhere. This will not get better.