On Call

[crazylilkelly]

Hi,

I was just wondering how does the on call system generally work for RNs @ hospitals. Are RNs usually on call for like 2 days/wk or something like that??? Thing is when I graduate I want to work in chicago for three 12 hr shifts but i really want to drive 2 1/2 back south for the other 4 days to be w/ my husband in champaign while he finishes his last yr of rad tech. Thanks for you input

[catlady, BSN, RN]

I never had to take call as a staff nurse, only when I was in management or case management. I know that places like the OR and special procedures require on-call. What type of nursing are you going to be doing? You should be asking your future employer about the on-call requirement, as on-call varies by the job.

[nurseob7]

I think it can vary greatly among hospitals. I work in L&D and we are required to take 3 or 4 calls per month ( 4 hr shifts) If we want, we can take an 8 hr or 12 hr call so we are only on call 2 times a month. Another hospital nearby, who delivers more babies than our hospital, doesn't require their nurses to be on call.

What hospital are you working at? I also live in Illinois. :)

[MidnightSn1]

I work at a Level 2 Trauma Center in Surgical Trauma ICU in Indiana. We cover a 200 mile radius with our 2 jet helicopters.

I work four 12 hour shifts per pay period (every 2 wks.). Everyone in our unit must take 12 hours of on call per month. We can do it in 4 hr., 8 hr., or the complete 12 hours at once.

We alternate the sign up time at 6am one month and 6pm the next month. The nurses who are already on duty get first chance to sign up.

If the on call time falls over a major holiday, then names are drawn for sign up sequence.

We get paid time and half if called in. No one enjoys the on call requirement, but it is great back up for those of us working.

MidnightSn1

:monkeydance:

[crazylilkelly]

thanks guys! i'm actually just about to start nursing school but was just curious about the topic. we already know that i'm going to have to stay w/ a friend by the city when i work & drive all the way back to CU for the rest of the week. I wasn't sure if some hospitals have you be on call for like 2 days/wk etc.. if it were an every wk thing then that would really put a dent in my coming home weekly. this all would've been so much easier if my husband was starting his rad tech program this fall!

i'm hoping to work @ the u of chicago hospital b/c they pay full tuition reimburstment to bsn grads.