On-call pay? Commuters?

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2011

Are they really going to be that strict about the 30 minute thing? They'd only be hurting themselves if they are. Where I work if you're on call you treat it kind of like a "mostly day off". It's fine to run errands or go shopping but you've got to be prepared to go in at a moments notice. One tip is to keep an bag in your car with a uniform and sundries so that you can just go straight into work from where ever you are.

If they decide to be super strict about the 30 minute thing then they suck.

eliselu2 · Jan 4, 2011

The facility I work at requires you to be on the floor w/in 1 hr of being called. Depending on the time of day, it can take at least 30-45 mins to get there. I make sure that the person who is calling me in is aware of the timeframe. I'm on the opposite side of town from the hospital and must be realistic when saying "I'll be there asap." If the weather is crummy, or there is major construction zones (that's what happened this past Summer), saying I'll be there in 30 minutes isn't realistic. Most of the time, the off-going nurse left report for me or if the charge nurse watched my patients until I got there.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2011

Wonder if it is a way to make the commuters unable to fulfill job requirements. Sheesh you'd have to spend your call day half way to your job so you could make it! Some others must have foiled this plan, somehow...

themoreyouknow · Jan 4, 2011

You are right. I would have to be 1/2 way to work for the entire day. I have heard it has been suggested that we simply drive to the town I work in and "hang out" for the day in case we are needed.

Are they going to pay me full wages for "hanging out"? No. Because I would have to pay my babysitter full wages if she watched my children while I spent a day away from my family to "hang out" in case they needed me.

We are an L&D unit and I understand that when we have an emergency and need more staff, we need them NOW. For 1/2 of us on our unit, being there NOW or within 30 min just isn't an option. Nor was it a requirement when we were hired.

Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN · Jan 4, 2011

Who's going to be immediately in charge of calling you in? Do you have any kind of rapport with them? Maybe you could ask them to give you a heads-up about how busy they are and how likely it you will be needed to be called in.

Are there going to be multiple people on the on-call list? If so in what order will they be called in? Can you request to be at the bottom of the list or do you have to take turns? If you have to take turns then you can just find out what position on the list you and make your best guess from there. Maybe if you're 3rd you can talk to your co-workers and get them to text you when the first call comes in and then the second. So at least you have a heads up.

Is seniority a factor in this? If so how much seniority do you have? I know in some places if you get enough seniority you don't have to do things like be on call or flip shifts etc.

It's a workable situation, if not a totally pleasant one.

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

yes they can do that. and if you cant fulfill that condition of employment, they have a right to terminate you. .

they have to be strict with a time frame, otherwise people will be coming when they want, taking their time, etc. If there is a need for call, there is a need for staff quickly.

I had a one and a half hour commute for 2 years, I work in the OR, so I have lots of call. on the nights/days I was on call, I had to spend the night at a co workers house that lived nearby, and many times I rented a hotel room....there were no accomodations made for me just because I chose to commute to my job.

Im sorry this is happening, but the reality is you might have to find another job.

handyrn · Jan 5, 2011

I used to work in the OR and we had to take call on a rotation so it was quite frequently. For those of us who commuted, they provided an empty hospital room with a bed to stay in.

Also, just as a side note, the federal law used to say that if your job only required you to be on call and available and sober, they didn't have to pay you to be on call. Not sure if that is still the same or not.

rn4babies63 · Jan 5, 2011

It all depends on the staffing needs of the facility. I worked an L&D which was 1 hour away and was not required to take call for that reason. I currently work on L&D where I have to be there within 30 min. However, I can get called in for a c/s or busy unit activity. I live 20 min away. By the time you get dressed, park, etc. you've just made it. Job #2 that I work at now, also L&D, requires nurses to take call as well. I live 45 min away and they know they have to call me at least an hour in advance. The difference there is that you don't get called in just for a c/s. It's usually for unit activity or call-offs so they know pretty well in advance. Both pay roughly 3.50/hr for call time plus time and a half for a minimum of 4 hrs if you get called in. Even if they only need you for 2 hrs, you get paid for 4. (Rarely happens though because they will find something for you to do).

rkitty198, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

This just dosent make sense. If you were not hired to do call then you shouldnt have to do it. If you work your hours per week, say 36 then the on call is overtime- and is not mandatory. I work in Washington and the laws might be different, but I have to say thank goodness for our union. Again in Washington you must be payed a portion of your wage to be on call.

This is just a way employers can bully you because they dont know how to staff.

You wonder where all the Nursing jobs are? They are tied up in making the permanent staff pay for babysitters, not have lives to sit around on call all day.