Is Every Other Week On-Call Unreasonable?

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.

Three months ago, I accepted a new position in an ALF as a nurse manager.  At the time that I was hired, I was told that my on-call rotation would be one week a month. Recently, we have had a lot of turnover at my job.   They have also had to remove one person from the on-call because they are an LPN vs an RN.  Right now, they are asking me to do on-call every other week.  This means working 12 days in a row, 2x/month.  My weekends on call often entail 32 hours of floor work.  As far as I'm concerned, this is unreasonable.  I honestly feel like I'm being punished for being an RN, while the LPN gets let off of the rotation.  Thoughts? Would YOU do on call every other week?

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I have done it in the past... but Call In's lasted maybe 2 hours (OR) and were really well paid, they had a huge problem staffing their on-call so doubled the pay rates. I was also in my 20's and could easily manage on very little sleep. 

I would say that many 12 hour shifts in a row would leave me so exhausted I would be unsafe to work. I would probably tell whoever came to you with this plan "NO" asap as it is an unsafe assignment and they need to work out a safe way to staff their facility.

Emphasis on "They" need to. Your aren't somehow obligated to work unsafe hours well above full time due to their failure to hire adequate staff. I believe there are agencies that can assist them with this problem.

BTW, There is no incentive for them to spend the money to correct this if you are willing to be a cheaper solution. 

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Often times, SilverBells, these staff turnovers cause shortages which are transient and temporary and those left need to take up the slack. However, sometimes they are par for the course.

It's sticky situation, covering for scheduling holes, having to orient new staff, shadowing them until they know their job, etc. Having done this as a NS in HH and a community health clinic, I've noted that sometimes it's worth it and sometimes not.

Sometimes the higher ups will bargain, giving PTO for working more during shortages, once the situation is rectified.

Good luck, SilverBells, in however you decide to handle this.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
SilverBells said:

This means working 12 days in a row, 2x/month.  My weekends on call often entail 32 hours of floor work.  As far as I'm concerned, this is unreasonable.  I honestly feel like I'm being punished for being an RN, while the LPN gets let off of the rotation.  

Are you saying that you get called in every day you are on call? I am almost never called in when on call and I get paid to be available. You are not being punished for being an RN. As a manager you should know that RNs and LPNs perform different but very important roles in the in the LTC environment. You need to acquaint yourself with the state regulations regarding the staffing by license type. You also don't say if this is a temporary or long term solution to a staff shortage.

Hppy

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Silver bells: 

LTC is a tough gig. I did it. Was a DON. My on call was every day, 24/7 times 365. It drove me to the brink of insanity. We've been telling you for years to pack your bags and get out of there. For reasons unknown, or maybe known, you decide to stay. Your family seems to be a big influence on that. If you're constantly worried about what others think of you, how can you be happy? I empathize with you. In fact, if I could sit down over a cup of coffee with you and give you life's advice, I think we would get along fantastically. I've been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. My time in LTC is one of the biggest reasons I am now a nurse practitioner.

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