We've had several call ins as of recent and unfortunately every time someone calls in myself and the DON have to cover. Recently I had to work 7 days in a row. Most included my own duties in office but the other 2 days were spent on the floor because a nurse called in.
Luckily the DON splits shifts with me so I usually only end up working 4 hours. Today is my day off and I'd love to go to the lake but I continue to worry that if I do I may get a call to come in.
This feeling is horrible never knowing when you will be expected to be at work and because I'm the ADON I feel it is my responsibility to come in when we are short. Currently we do not have any type of on call procedure for when someone calls in so usually the scheduler will try to get the shift covered but if unable to then myself and the DON usually cover. I do not mind to do this at times but my concern is that we should not have to work 7 days in a row like we had to recently. It's not good mentally or physically and you can't plan outings or anything with family and friends.
We are considering starting an on call procedure with our nurses to where if someone calls in then the nurse working stays over for 4 hours and then someone comes in 4 hours early. For example, if the nurse on 1st shift calls in then the 3rd shift nurse is expected to stay over for 4 hours and the 2nd shift nurse would need to come in 4 hours early. We do 8 hour shifts here so we feel like it would work out well. We also plan to pay staff an extra amount if they have to stay over.
What does everyone think of this? Is it fair? and how much do you think a person should make extra if they had to stay over? The residents care is our main priority and doing this helps us to know that we won't be short. The don and myself will also take call as well as our mds nurses. If anyone has suggestions or if you currently do this in your facility let me know how you do it. Any input would be helpful. We haven't started this yet only discussed it, it's all new to us too so we're trying to work out the kinks.