On-call & salaried

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 25, 2007

Sounds like it's time for a decision. Are you willing to stay at this job if nothing changes? Are you willing to stay there if the pay increases significantly? Are you willing to stay there if your "on-call" time is cut to a more reasonable amount?

If "no" to any of the above, you know what you've got to do....

TrudyRN · May 25, 2007

eing salaried is always kind of rotten. You don't usually get docked if you're a few minutes late and you can often leave a little early, maybe you can work from home, maybe you get a nice Christmas bonus and other really nice perks that make it all worthwhile. But the extra hours you work, the on-call duties more than make up for any little perks you might receive.

Unfortunately, unless you have a real high salary or your own kids get free tuition and you have a genuine pension, a company car, or access to the company-owned timeshare in Cabo San Lucas, this salaried job sounds like it fits right in with what I've just described.

Think about exactly how you want your contract to read, exactly what terms of employment you can live with. For example: receive $1 or $2 per hour for being on call, regardless of whether or not you have to go in + receive more pay or comp time back if you do have to go in. Or someone else can accompany the student to the ER after you have made your initial assessment. There's really no reason a nurse has to go to the ER. You can be available by phone if they need you. Still a pain but not as much as if you have to go sit in the ER.

Think of other terms you want - perhaps a much higher salary would help. They probably won't go for these new terms, as they probably researched the matter quite thoroughly before hiring you and know the local market, but you never know.

Good luck. What will you do if they reject your offer?

One other thought: I just did the math. Even if you work approximately 3000 hours per year, you are really not working that much more than full-time, which is 2080 hours. So maybe you can live with this arrangement, esp if they will give you comp time for the extra 20 hours. Maybe my math is off. This sounds too simple. Oh, I see. I didn't include your 25 hours per week during the summer or subtract for the (presumably) 4 or 5 weeks you have off when the school is closed for vacations. But see if figuring it this way makes it more reasonable. Good luck.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 25, 2007

In my opinion once you start to question the pay vs. hours thing you are already considering leaving and just trying to justify the decision. Evidently you are not 100% satisfied so start putting out feelers for another job "just in case".

cruisinRN · May 25, 2007

Thanks for the replies.

I do like working here, I enjoy the students. Also the fact that one never knows what is going to walk through that door. Today was stitching a leg (luckily the medical director was available to come in).

The only EXTRA perk will be AFTER three years, my children will be able to attend tuition free. That's is a huge reason I took this position. Just not sure it's the right thing for my family. My 15yr old is ill, and I'm wondering if I should be home, so that we have more family time during the week. Otherwise I do not get home until 8pm, and that's IF I am able to leave on time.

My next child is the one that is drooling to come to school here. He is bright, but there also is no guarantee that he would be accepted. A very small % that apply actually get in.

If I went part-time, I would lose the "salary" type benefit of tuition should he be accepted in another 2yrs.

If the new medical director chooses not to make any changes with my hours, then I will have to leave. I do not want to, but I have to think of my family first. It didn't sound that bad, but jeez when one gets called back 4 out of 6 nights in a row, plus come in and do my regular hours, it's an absolute killer!!

Gee, just maybe that's why the last 2 RN's left after their 1st yr contract was over...........

I appreciate any and all input, gives me more info to think about.

cruisinRN · May 25, 2007

So, now I started computing/figuring out the time/money aspect. If I do NOT include my summer hours, do NOT include the additional 6 days during the school year that I am on-call for for 36hrs straight (tournament time), and I divide my salary by 30 wks (general time school is in session), and then divide it by my total hours I am available (see I need to be here, in uniform within 30 minutes, and it takes me 25mins to drive here), I am making (BEFORE taxes just about $10/hr).

Quick can someone check my forehead, cuz I think sucker or stupid is written all over it, UGH!!

cruisinRN · May 27, 2007

Oh, I guess I never answered earlier about the money.

The school is pretty tight with the money for the nurses.

For me it is not about the money, I mean, sure more would be appreciated, but it's the actual time I spend here, away from my family.

Thanks to those that have responded. I now know what I need to ask for, and what need to be done if I am told no.