I have always prided myself in being professional and I make myself available to work as much as possible.
I work the night shift and I am one of those people that can go to bed that night after sleeping all day.
I was on call tonight...and they made a really big deal before I left the previous night to fully expect to work tonight at 6:00 because they were on high census.
I slept all day, washed my uniforms, got up, took a shower, fully expecting to work.
It came 6:00 ....no phone call...so I called them, and they decided to "work with the staff that they had" which meant that a couple of nurses probably got higher assignments than normal.
I was disappointed because I needed the money.
So at 10:30...I went to bed.
At 11:00...they called.
Guess what? I have a Blackberry and I got up around 3:00 a.m. and checked my phone for e-mails and discovered that I had 3 missed calls...I ALWAYS hear my phone ring.
So I tried to call from my house phone and discovered that my ringtones were not working.
I called work immediately, offered to come in right then, they ended up calling someone else in for me....and I know darn good and well that several of my coworkers probably got woke up in the middle of the night trying to get someone to cover for me.
I cannot tell you how embarrassed I was....what makes it worse is that this is the SECOND time I have missed a call from work because my Blackberry ringtones suddenly stopped working and required the phone to be rebooted in order to get them to work.
The only reason my work doesn't have my house phone number is that the clericals that work the day shift think NOTHING of calling night shift people at 11:00 am., 1:00 pm...whatever...for non-emergent reasons..even if you are already scheduled that night...calls that can easily wait another 3 to 4 hours.
It's hard enough to sleep during the day...so when I get woke up, I'm up. I can't get back to sleep and have to work that night severely sleep deprived which isn't safe.
I called and offered to come in on the day shift if they needed help...charge nurse wasn't exactly nice about it.
Now I can't get back to sleep because there is nothing that I hate worse than looking like an idiot at work and now I'm worried about getting in trouble on Monday with my manager...which I fully expect to happen because they see this no different than a no-call, no show.
Those of you that have experience on the night shift much longer than me....how does your hospital handle these? Is some sympathy given? Or do they not care that sometimes technology fails.
I would love to go to my cell phone company tomorrow and get a different phone, but I am 8 months from a contract ending and it would cost me over $200 to make the change.
Any advice and encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
It may be a ridiculous statement to you. However, look around yourself. It is not all far-fetched. Why do you think nurses get burned out? Doctors and patients sometimes do expect nurses to go above and beyond. And obviously they expect you to be on call 24/7 if the OP said the clerics call at weird times and her blackberry goes off quite often. So which is it?
Calling to ask a question, to me, does not equate to "being on call 24/7." If you're not "on call" with the expectation that you go into work when called, you have the choice not to answer your phone. ANY job can (and would) call you at various times, when you're home, to ask about something they need an answer to, like if something happened on your shift, something is missing, etc. That's not that weird.
Calling to ask a question, to me, does not equate to "being on call 24/7." If you're not "on call" with the expectation that you go into work when called, you have the choice not to answer your phone. ANY job can (and would) call you at various times, when you're home, to ask about something they need an answer to, like if something happened on your shift, something is missing, etc. That's not that weird.
If I'm not mistaken the poster was talking about come them calling her to actually in to work, not asking a question as you've stated. I got nowhere in her post where she said they were calling to ask a question. Where did you get that from? I think the poster may be just tired and wants to spend time with her kids. Remember, this is the same poster who was complaining in another post about not having money and looking for another job, then she said she found another job but did not pick up her phone when they called her, and she's new at this job. I'm a hard sleeper, but I usually sleep with my cell next to me so when it goes off I can still wake up. She may have had her ringer turned off.
If I'm not mistaken the poster was talking about come them calling her to actually in to work, not asking a question as you've stated. I got nowhere in her post where she said they were calling to ask a question. Where did you get that from? I think the poster may be just tired and wants to spend time with her kids. Remember, this is the same poster who was complaining in another post about not having money and looking for another job, then she said she found another job but did not pick up her phone when they called her, and she's new at this job. I'm a hard sleeper, but I usually sleep with my cell next to me so when it goes off I can still wake up. She may have had her ringer turned off.
Did you read the whole thread?
I know that the night in question, the night that the phone didn't work, they were calling her in. She said she didn't want them to have her home number, etc, since they tend to call during the day, when she's sleeping after a shift, to ask questions (such as about CE, an issue that could be addressed in an email).
My post that you quoted was in response to another reply that said that nursing is a job in which you are on call 24/7, and I do not agree with that, and was stating my reasons.
Not to scare you but I think you're going to catch some grief for this. If you are expected to be on call all night then they have to be able to reach you, plain and simple. I had the same thing happen to me because of a unreliable cell phone and I ended up getting a new phone(don't have a landline) despite the high cost. We are expected to take call as well and I have also called to see if anything was going on, and then gotten called in later.
Go in on Monday and make your apologies, and do whatever you have to do to insure it doesn't happen again. If you work in a department where call is expected..then you have to be reliable. It is unfair for other coworkers to have to pick up the slack and get a call themselves when they aren't even technically on call.
Different places have different rules for being available on call. Years ago, I worked mother-baby. If you were called off, the you were off. Where I am now, you would be placed on call so that if the census goes up or there is a crisis, you would be called in. You are then paid $2/hr. There is also on call for extra shifts where you are called only if needed. Someplaces that is mandatory and some places not.
As far as the responses go, we are all human and can all miss a call, have bad luck, or use poor judegement. I think some people are being a bit harsh. It is unfortunate for the OP that she missed these calls. She came looking for help and suggestions, not grumpy opinions about what a bad employee some people might think she is. May you all never be in a postion where you let down or disappoint your co-workers. Sometimes, even the most perfect of us, have rough spots in life where things don't go well. I would more hate to work with those making the nasty comments, than I would the OP and her missing the calls. I say this as someone who was charge nurse on nights for many years. I know what it is like when the person on call doesn't answer. It is difficult and upsetting to have to regroup when a resource you thought you had isn't available. I also know what it is like to work with the hypercritical. That is even more difficult. Usually they are the people who are least able to receive criticism. Go ahead and flame me. I don't care. I really do have a problem with the mean attitudes!
No one is flaming the OP. But she has to realize that if it is part of your job to be on call, then you have to be accessible. She is a grownup and she asked for people's opinions. I think she will face some repurcussions and for her own good and her job she should apologize and let them know it won't happen again.
It's happened to me in the past but I was adult enough to take responsibility for my mistake. It can be very bad if you have a trauma/emergency coming in and no one to start the case..not every place has people on shift 24/7..what we do affects other people. If someone can't handle the fact that some nursing jobs aren't 9-5 gigs then they need to find a different job.
The OP herself stated that she knew she was expected to be on call all night-so there is no excuse. Not trying to be harsh..just telling it like it is.
Different places have different rules for being available on call. Years ago, I worked mother-baby. If you were called off, the you were off. Where I am now, you would be placed on call so that if the census goes up or there is a crisis, you would be called in. You are then paid $2/hr. There is also on call for extra shifts where you are called only if needed. Someplaces that is mandatory and some places not.
As far as the responses go, we are all human and can all miss a call, have bad luck, or use poor judegement. I think some people are being a bit harsh. It is unfortunate for the OP that she missed these calls. She came looking for help and suggestions, not grumpy opinions about what a bad employee some people might think she is. May you all never be in a postion where you let down or disappoint your co-workers. Sometimes, even the most perfect of us, have rough spots in life where things don't go well. I would more hate to work with those making the nasty comments, than I would the OP and her missing the calls. I say this as someone who was charge nurse on nights for many years. I know what it is like when the person on call doesn't answer. It is difficult and upsetting to have to regroup when a resource you thought you had isn't available. I also know what it is like to work with the hypercritical. That is even more difficult. Usually they are the people who are least able to receive criticism. Go ahead and flame me. I don't care. I really do have a problem with the mean attitudes!
What you are calling "mean attitudes" are the opinions of those who spoke them. Not everyone thinks it's ok, that doesn't make them (I should say "us," since I'm sure I'm included in that!) untolerable people to work with. Any time you post something, you're bound to get differing opinions and responses, and there is nothing wrong with that. It's not being "hypercritical" to disagree with someone, or to not blow smoke up someone's orifice.
The more "harsh" (as you call it) replies tended to come AFTER the OP mentioned that this has happened more than once, and all that followed that were more excuses. I said more than once I relate to how she feels, and I'd feel the same way, BUT...that doesn't make it ok, either, to not try to fix it or to make more excuses about it.
I also agree with Squirrel, there may be serious repurcussions from this situation, and she needs to be prepared for that.
Wow, what a thread this has created! Sorry this happened. Either way it's done. I skimmed the last few pages of responses, but have a suggestion (if you haven't already implemented the call-forwarding idea).
I am super poor and got a virgin mobile cell from Radio Shack (also available at 7-11) for about ten dollars. I can't remember the exact rates, but I think I paid about 20 cents a minute. Not cheap, but if you ONLY use it for work then you shouldn't need it much. I live in the boondocks where service was an issue but otherwise it was generally quite reliable and came with a host of obnoxious ringtones built right in. It didn't have a camera, or fancy ringtones, or internet capabilities, etc..but it was just for emergencies and a quick text or call here or there. You can top up minutes from buying a card at 7-11s, most grocery stores, from the phone, or online. Not super ideal, but consider it :)
Twenty-six dollars is not enough for me to stay awake all night. You called in, that is enough.
Really? That's illogical justification- I bet when one is out of a job, that 26dollars becomes good enough.
No one asked her to remain awake all night long- the only thing required of her was to be accessible! "On call" is an iffy situation. Your help may be required at any given time WITHIN a specified duration or shift.
A good analogy would be the tornado watch. During a tornado watch people have no idea when the storm may touch down, so they keep watch for within the duration of that watch. So likewise "on-call", it gives you no idea when, except be prepared to,just in case.
Really? That's illogical justification- I bet when one is out of a job, that 26dollars becomes good enough.
No one asked her to remain awake all night long- the only thing required of her was to be accessible! "On call" is an iffy situation. Your help may be required at any given time WITHIN a specified duration or shift.
A good analogy would be the tornado watch. During a tornado watch people have no idea when the storm may touch down, so they keep watch for within the duration of that watch. So likewise "on-call", it gives you no idea when, except be prepared to,just in case.
:yeah:Most places give you about $2.00 an hour to be on call..(of course you get time and a half if you come in) and if it's part of your job to be on call you can't complain. Find a different position where you don't have to take it. Why is this such a hard concept for some here?
Nowhere in any of my posts did I ever say it wasn't my job to be accessable...thus, the entire reason why I was upset that I missed the phone call.
I even FURTHER stated that I am sure that several co-workers were awaken in order to find someone to cover for me....trust me, that bothers me more than you know.
I also never said that it was "no big deal".
Some posters are treating this as I just took the night off...I didn't make any plans because I fully expected to go in...my kids wanted to go to the movies and I told them no because I was very certain that I might get called in.
Some people that are posting that are angry at me are making statements as if I am just blowing this whole situation off to "oh well....crap happens"...if I felt that way, the thread wouldn't even exist.
However, not everyone is in the same financial situation. To me, to spend $200 plus dollars in order to break my cell phone contract in order to get a different phone NEVER PREVIOUSLY occurred to me because it's not about I would rather shop online to Talbots than spend it on replacing my phone, but my financial situation was the fact that I was struggling to LITERALLY put food on the table each night those last few days before I got paid again, and no matter how much I budgeted, every two weeks it was the same story.
I wasn't that I was being a tightwad...I can't spend what I don't have.
If it wasn't for school, I would cut off my internet tomorrow.....if it wasn't for the fact that my kids would have to sit in silence while Mommy sleeps on the weekends, I wouldn't even have cable. I have cut back as far as I can. Picking up additional shifts was a hard decision because it meant I spent even less time at home...and that is even tougher when you get called off on low-census when you are counting on that extra money to bridge you through.
I won't even be able to take a vacation this year to even sit at home because all of my personal time has had to be used for low census since I have been employed....so I don't even get a break after all of that hard work.
I don't have the option of taking a position that doesn't require on-call because I don't want to start all over again in another job or position....I would like to get to a point where I am proficient in what I am doing rather than starting all over with an adult population and having to start my learning all over again.
I am very, very thankful to the posters that posted TRUE solutions rather than bashing....which is why I posted the thread to start with.
Nowhere in any of my posts did I ever say it wasn't my job to be accessable...thus, the entire reason why I was upset that I missed the phone call.
I even FURTHER stated that I am sure that several co-workers were awaken in order to find someone to cover for me....trust me, that bothers me more than you know.
I also never said that it was "no big deal".
Some posters are treating this as I just took the night off...I didn't make any plans because I fully expected to go in...my kids wanted to go to the movies and I told them no because I was very certain that I might get called in.
Some people that are posting that are angry at me are making statements as if I am just blowing this whole situation off to "oh well....crap happens"...if I felt that way, the thread wouldn't even exist.
However, not everyone is in the same financial situation. To me, to spend $200 plus dollars in order to break my cell phone contract in order to get a different phone NEVER PREVIOUSLY occurred to me because it's not about I would rather shop online to Talbots than spend it on replacing my phone, but my financial situation was the fact that I was struggling to LITERALLY put food on the table each night those last few days before I got paid again, and no matter how much I budgeted, every two weeks it was the same story.
I wasn't that I was being a tightwad...I can't spend what I don't have.
If it wasn't for school, I would cut off my internet tomorrow.....if it wasn't for the fact that my kids would have to sit in silence while Mommy sleeps on the weekends, I wouldn't even have cable. I have cut back as far as I can. Picking up additional shifts was a hard decision because it meant I spent even less time at home...and that is even tougher when you get called off on low-census when you are counting on that extra money to bridge you through.
I won't even be able to take a vacation this year to even sit at home because all of my personal time has had to be used for low census since I have been employed....so I don't even get a break after all of that hard work.
I don't have the option of taking a position that doesn't require on-call because I don't want to start all over again in another job or position....I would like to get to a point where I am proficient in what I am doing rather than starting all over with an adult population and having to start my learning all over again.
I am very, very thankful to the posters that posted TRUE solutions rather than bashing....which is why I posted the thread to start with.
Don't worry about the negativity and the judgemental attitude. Shyt happens, and it happens to everyone just make sure it doesn't happen again.
1. Give them you house number as an alternative no. for the days you are on call like and unplug it or turn off the ringer when you are not on call.
2. Try NOT to go to sleep before midnight when you are on call. From my experience, you are more likely to be called before midnight and less likely after midnight. Watch movies/tv or get a book and read.
3. Go to your phone company and have the ringer fixed and explain to them what happened as a result of the ringer not working, some companies will fix it for free.
cherrybreeze, ADN, RN
1,405 Posts
Calling to ask a question, to me, does not equate to "being on call 24/7." If you're not "on call" with the expectation that you go into work when called, you have the choice not to answer your phone. ANY job can (and would) call you at various times, when you're home, to ask about something they need an answer to, like if something happened on your shift, something is missing, etc. That's not that weird.