Hospital policies

[amdale]

Is it legal for the hospital to require an RN stay on call for the entire 12 hour shift? Without pay?

[llg, PhD, RN]

Labor law varies from state to state. You'll have to consult an attorney or some other person knowledgable about the law in your particular state to get a trustworthy answer to your question.

But perhaps you could ask someone in your Human Resources department whether or not they are aware of any laws, regulations, or guidelines related to "on-call" status. Your question may stimulate them to look into the situation -- and their review might lead to something good for you.

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

I don't see why it wouldn't be legal. I get $2/h for on call (plus min. 2h pay if I get called in), but at least in my state employers are NOT required to pay for on call time, as long as the employee is able to pursue their own activities during call time. If you have to stay in house, they are required to pay you a normal hourly wage, as that is considered working.

All the RNs at my job are required to take call.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

As indicated previously, there may be variability in the rules, regs and laws applicable to the questions posed based on jurisdiction.

From my experience, however, the general response to the first is "yes," and to the second is "no."

[tewdles, RN]

Soon it will be legal for all of us to have the "flexibility" to work for our employers without the burden of OT, if some conservative legislators get their way...just sayin.

[tewdles, RN]

If you were supposed to work that shift and sent home for low census, then yes. No, they don't have to pay you for the "oncall".

[amygarside]

i think hospitals should pay extra for work on rest days..

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Agree with ya, Amy.

[amygarside]

Agree with ya Amy.[/quote']

thanks!