I'm so upset! (warning-long)

Nurses General Nursing

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I am guessing maybe the house supervisor wants to have an extra "warm body" on the unit to accomodate for admissions. My hospital does that frequently. We have a policy for "low census" meaning one nurse can be put "on call" or totally called off if the census didn't warrant the # of staff scheduled. Now, for example, if we had say 28pts w/ 4 nurses that would be 7/nurse. However, that wouldn't leave any room for admissions. Now let's say a nurse tries to call out for the shift (key word "tries" - many times supervisors won't allow you to call out" PERIOD) or asks to be put "on call" for whatever reason, they most times will now allow it because they want to have the capability of admitting several pts.

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The Labor law clearly states that you can be made to work forty hours a week and no more. Therefore, the times you are on call should be a week when you have worked less than 40 hrs. They CAN NOT MAKE YOU WORK OVER 40hrs A WEEK NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY. This is mgmt. problem and they should fix it before they get into trouble.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
I'd look for another job.

:yeahthat: Without hesitation! :stone

WHY are you working under such abusive circumstances? What are you getting out of being abused that way? Don't you value your life and nursing license more than that? Get out of that mess!!! :rolleyes:

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The Labor law clearly states that you can be made to work forty hours a week and no more. Therefore, the times you are on call should be a week when you have worked less than 40 hrs. They CAN NOT MAKE YOU WORK OVER 40hrs A WEEK NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY. This is mgmt. problem and they should fix it before they get into trouble.

are you sure about this? I am in MAryland, is this true for Maryland. Many nurses work more than 40 hours a week. I've looked up the mandatory overtime laws for nursing, and the gyst of it was mandatory overtime is not allowed, but if a prescheduled on call system is set in place, this is allowed. Seems like a sneaky way to get around the overtime thing, but I know of quite a few hospitals that have this...

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are you sure about this? I am in MAryland, is this true for Maryland. Many nurses work more than 40 hours a week. I've looked up the mandatory overtime laws for nursing, and the gyst of it was mandatory overtime is not allowed, but if a prescheduled on call system is set in place, this is allowed. Seems like a sneaky way to get around the overtime thing, but I know of quite a few hospitals that have this...

Just wanted to add that I mean nursing laws in MARYLAND. thanks

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are you sure about this? I am in MAryland, is this true for Maryland. Many nurses work more than 40 hours a week. I've looked up the mandatory overtime laws for nursing, and the gyst of it was mandatory overtime is not allowed, but if a prescheduled on call system is set in place, this is allowed. Seems like a sneaky way to get around the overtime thing, but I know of quite a few hospitals that have this...

Call your local dept of labor. But, yes that may be a sneaky way to get around it. Or it may just be misunderstood wording. In an case I would check out my rights.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
:yeahthat: without hesitation! :stone

why are you working under such abusive circumstances? what are you getting out of being abused that way? don't you value your life and nursing license more than that? get out of that mess!!! :rolleyes:

yes, i totally agree with cheer, here. you sound as if you are on the edge of burnout with this situation and please believe me, it is not worth it.

when you can, start looking for another position in another facility that does not use this system. you are not a lowly anything and should never have to put up with such a system.

calm, chill, relax and get out of there.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

Where I work, we are required to take 8 hrs. of call every 2 weeks. That being said, I am regularly scheduled 72 hrs. per pay period...so it really doesn't put us into overtime. The nice part about our system is that you can choose your call slots. I normally work 8 hr days, so one of my call times is from 3-7a.m. one week and the next week is 3-7p.m.

I really don't like working my call time but I can't lie...it's nice to have a call person come in on my shift when we are swamped!!! If we don't come in when they call, we are given a written warning...

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg, ICU, OB.

Here in Pennsylvania we are can work over 40 hours. My facility does not really like to have to pay it, but they do. I am a believer in change. If you like your job, the work to have the call system looked at, or at least go through you chaim of command to let them know of your impending burnout. They may look to see if there are others who feel as you do and work for change, so they dont lose valuable personel. If you leave, you miss out on building up your benifits and seniority. I have found that the grass is not greener some where else.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

I don't mean to be glib, but I agree with the others about finding another job. I would never work anywhere that had mandatory overtime or mandatory on-call. The hospital is exploiting it's workforce instead of finding solutions to their staffing problems.

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I'd look for another job.

AMEN!! :twocents:

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

this first call for help needs to be relayed to the public. We as nurse are overwhelmed. Yes the public is overwhelmed but maybe they need to share the responsibility.

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