Is it bad etiquette to accept extra money from a coworker who wants you to take call?

ewattsjt · Feb 10, 2008

The idea is that if someone is sick or injured, the charge doesn’t have to find coverage; it simply reverts to the original person. Most people do not back out of the accepted call because they would never get it again.

sharann, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

What a great idea!

Why didn't I think of that! Dang. I would gladly have paid

someone even$100.00 to TAKE my call once in a while.

Brilliant nurses.

justme1972 · Feb 10, 2008

I personally am against the practice.

I'm a nursing student but have seen the "pay for shift trade" done in other industries that I have worked in and here is the problem it causes:

I was at one place where $15 was the customary fee, then it went to $20, then $30...and then people would just flat out refuse to trade shifts unless you paid them much bigger bucks.

This was very damaging to morale and put employees against one another.

How about compensating it with, "The next time you need a shift covered, call me first and I'll do it."

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

I personally am against the practice.
I'm a nursing student but have seen the "pay for shift trade" done in other industries that I have worked in and here is the problem it causes:
I was at one place where $15 was the customary fee, then it went to $20, then $30...and then people would just flat out refuse to trade shifts unless you paid them much bigger bucks.
This was very damaging to morale and put employees against one another.
How about compensating it with, "The next time you need a shift covered, call me first and I'll do it."

There have been times when I would rather walk through hot coals while getting a root canal than be on call.

A private arrangment between two people should not have any effect on the morale of other workers.

LydiaNN · Feb 10, 2008

Bad etiquette, no, but I do agree with the poster that said the person from who you take money will never do you a favor for free. Just be prepared to ante up if you want them to take a shift for you sometime.

I don't see any problem with it- especially since I think we have all known co-workers who we've done a favor for only to be shot down when we need the help. Money is kind of the equalizer; if you're paid extra for being flexible, you're less likely to resent it when that's not returned.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Feb 10, 2008

There is also the fact that at most hospitals, you get a pittance to carry a beeper/be on call,(at mine, it's 2.00 an hour) so the extra money is a nice incentive. I've taken call from people for "free". These are the people who would bend over backward to help you and take your call when needed. This woman who offered the $50.00 was one who hated call at all costs and therefore, I took the money kind of in lieu of a favor later, if that makes sense.

It didn't affect morale...I've found that the OR types are pretty practical people! :lol2:

trepinCT · Jun 6, 2008

my husband is a firefighter and they often will sell shifts for money or exchange to work their shift..sometimes even work for an IOU day later on...

KayceeCA · Jun 6, 2008

I don't think it's bad etiquette, but I've never seen anyone accept money to take someone's call. Usually they just make a trade.

Also, in the places I've worked I've noticed two kinds of people - those who want money more than time, and those who want time more than money. I was always one of the latter (young kids, household demands) so people would actually come to me and offer to take my call so that they could earn a little extra money.

I'll be returning to the OR in a couple of months after having been out for a year. My financial and personal situation has changed to where I will now be one of the people who needs money more than time. I'm sure I'll be picking up some extra call to earn a little more money, but I wouldn't take any pay over the regular call pay to do so. Just doesn't feel right to me. As someone else said, the person who paid you could never be expected to do you any favors for free if you needed it in the future.