“On Call” for Full Time RN

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Wanted to see what others input is on this new requirement(?) at my private practice ambulatory surgery center. I'm a full time RN and "on call" rotations will be assigned for one week at a time. So these "on call" rotations will be in addition to a 40 hour work week.
 

You will be available after business hours and on weekends to respond to patient calls.

You may be required to come into the office.

 

There will be one shared "on-call" phone number that patients will call. This will forward to your personal cell phone, so patients will not have access to your private number.

 

Phone calls will be compensated based on the time spent with the patient.

 

If you are required to come into the office you will receive a 2-hour minimum compensation. If you are needed for longer than 2 hours, you will be compensated for the actual time worked beyond the initial 2 hours.

RNinVA2025 said:

It's a new requirement. I took this job over 6 years ago and the hours are M-Th 8-5 and F 8-3:30. "On call" will be for a week at a time. You're expected to be avail 24/7 for that week after office hours and on weekend. It'll go directly to your personal cell, through a designated "on call" number. You'll get no "on call" pay. If you take a ten min phone call, it's 10 min worth of your hourly salary, so like $5.

I have a few issues with it. This was not part of my original contract. I wasn't given an option. I was told I'm now required to do this with no on call pay. I was told I'll have to be a "super planner" if it's my week on call - make sure I have an emergency babysitter in place for my children, be in town, have my phone on me, etc. I'll be doing this every other week. More importantly, my family time is sacred to me. My kids are 1 and 3 years old and I don't want to spend my time out of the office attached to my phone. I want to be fully present with my kids and my husband. I already give 40 hours a week and I'm not sure I'm willing to give up more at this stage in my life. I left the hospital setting for a healthier work life balance, no nights, weekends, and I've loved it, so this really breaks my heart to think this might be while I have to say no and walk away.

Sorry this is so long. I'm obviously struggling with this. Thank you to all that have commented. Means a lot.

All of that for no on call pay and no minimum pay for calls. Wow. No. Just No!

RNinVA2025 said:

What do you mean by states applicable laws? Sorry I'm so unfamiliar with all of this.

The AI overview from a Google search using the phrase " does an employer have to pay you for being on call" returned information you might find helpful. 

In addition to having the option of filing a complaint with U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, your state should have a similar process as well.  You might find this informative as well: FLSA Hours Worked Advisor.

RNinVA2025 said:

It's a new requirement. I took this job over 6 years ago and the hours are M-Th 8-5 and F 8-3:30. "On call" will be for a week at a time. You're expected to be avail 24/7 for that week after office hours and on weekend. ...

I have a few issues with it. This was not part of my original contract. I wasn't given an option. I was told I'm now required to do this with no on call pay. I was told I'll have to be a "super planner" if it's my week on call - make sure I have an emergency babysitter in place for my children, be in town, have my phone on me, etc. I'll be doing this every other week. ...

[...]

Depending on the restrictions being on call places on your time, and these seem quite onerous, the hours might be considered time worked.  Consulting a labor lawyer in your state might be helpful, even if you had to pay a small consult fee.

Best wishes.

RNinVA2025 said:

It's a new requirement. I took this job over 6 years ago and the hours are M-Th 8-5 and F 8-3:30. "On call" will be for a week at a time. You're expected to be avail 24/7 for that week after office hours and on weekend. It'll go directly to your personal cell, through a designated "on call" number. You'll get no "on call" pay. If you take a ten min phone call, it's 10 min worth of your hourly salary, so like $5.

I have a few issues with it. This was not part of my original contract. I wasn't given an option. I was told I'm now required to do this with no on call pay. I was told I'll have to be a "super planner" if it's my week on call - make sure I have an emergency babysitter in place for my children, be in town, have my phone on me, etc. I'll be doing this every other week. More importantly, my family time is sacred to me. My kids are 1 and 3 years old and I don't want to spend my time out of the office attached to my phone. I want to be fully present with my kids and my husband. I already give 40 hours a week and I'm not sure I'm willing to give up more at this stage in my life. I left the hospital setting for a healthier work life balance, no nights, weekends, and I've loved it, so this really breaks my heart to think this might be while I have to say no and walk away.

Sorry this is so long. I'm obviously struggling with this. Thank you to all that have commented. Means a lot.

I completely agree with you- family time , your private outside-of-work-life, is sacred. This kind of on call requirement is unacceptable.    When I was on call, I couldn't plan certain things,  couldn't travel too far, couldn't commit to helping my sister out with childcare....on and on.   Do you think it would be worth it to speak to management about your concerns?

I wish you the best, whatever you decide.  

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