Gentiva on-call nursi5

srleslie · Jan 27, 2016

I apologize for the title typo. Can the mod correct it? Last word should read "nurse."

jeannepaul, BSN · Jan 27, 2016

I used to work on call when they were odyssey. Depending on how many pt's. And how many on call/backup nurses will also make a difference. Currently I work the weekend 5p to mon. 8a. We have a small hospice but I still at times get little sleep. They also want you to do reg. Visits and evals and admissions And want the paperwork done in 24hour while you are trying to do "on call crisis visits".

I used to do 7on and 7 off and it sounded like a great schedule, however since it starts on Friday, you are already so tired by Monday, it's not a great schedule. You will either have to be at the office at 8am Monday or call in to give report, that is if you are not still out seeing a pt. so you don't get to sleep at 8am. Then you may be required to go to office early to get assignments so you only end up getting a few hours sleep before starting again. During the week, they like to give you admissions or if someone calls it seems anytime after 3pm, they will hold and have you go out instead of case manager.

the paperwork is long and you stay behind. You will have to decide if you want to sleep or do paperwork in the few hours you get for sleep. It takes many days to recover and when you finally get back to normal, it's almost time to start all over again.

they are also always calling you during the day and often want you to start early, make sure you don't make that first mistake and answer the phone or they will expect it every time.

i know I didn't talk about gentiva, but most are the same. I have been doing on call for many years at different places. I think they need to change the way it is done because some of the companies will work you for many hours without a break and I almost died because of it.

also refuse to do both on call visits and triage, you work enough just getting the visits done and then they expect you to answer every call that comes in when your trying to see your pt and during the few hours you do get to sleep. It is very dangerous. I left a company when they integrated triage and visits. It didn't work out for them as they changed it back after about 6 months.

i continue to do it because of my kids, but as soon as they are a little older, I will be looking for an office position. I will not do case management because they are worked just as much maybe more and always understaffed.

nutella, MSN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

I think most companies take advantage of a dedicated on call person and 7 days on like 24/7 is not safe.

They probably expect you to take the calls, make visits, admit and so on - better ask in detail what their on call entails.

The hospice I worked for had a dedicated night on call who worked 9 to 8 am to take call and also to go out for crisis visits/pronouncement but NO routine visits or admissions. She can be busy depending on what is going on.

Plus sometimes the pay is more than questionable...