On Call ?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 17, 2015

I think a lot of this is going to be influenced by the type of facility and how much after-hours work occurs. I currently work on the cardiac surgery team of a level 2 trauma center. We take around 32-64 hours of call per week (the higher number is when it's our turn to take the weekend, Friday end of shift to Monday start of shift). Most of the time I am called in, it's not really being called in but staying late to finish cases as we do not have a second shift cardiac team. There are only very rare occasions of being called in during the night, and if it is an issue with little sleep, my supervisor will literally kick us out for the following day and somehow make the schedule work with the remaining staff.

So at the facility you interviewed at, what is it like? Is it a trauma center where the likelihood of being called in might be higher? Is it a small rural facility where complicated cases might be transferred to a higher level of care overnight? How does management handle a call team who was in overnight for many hours? Knowing this kind of information may help you make that decision.

Bell13, ASN · Jan 17, 2015

Thanks for the info. Smaller hospital w 6 or's. It is not level 1 or 2. I was told that the majority of emergencies called in are ortho. I def dont want to sound like im whining. Just dont want to expect something and go through training and end up despising the job. Its already 40 per week and i know they r currently short staffed. I believe the response time is 30 min as well. Im guessing everyone lives relatively close cause thats a pretty tight requirement.

RobtheORNurse · Jan 23, 2015

I worked in the OR for 25 years and it was about the same arrangement. If you know that you are going to take call and are good with it, then do it. My longest time working was 32 hours straight, after that and the complaint filed with HR. the call shifts were broken down to 8 and 12 hour blocks. It is tiring but I loved it until the last few years when my body started giving me troubles.

Bell13, ASN · Jan 23, 2015

Thanks for the input. 32 hrs is ridiculous. I would def speak up just like u did. Actually i already have. At one facility i was trying to help out but after 20 hrs i had to contact the mgr. must remain safe for yourself and the patient

Travel_RN_0714, MSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

Not to discourage you, but being "on call" is part of the Operating Room world. As one of the previous comments where he worked 32 hours straight, he's got me beat as my personal best is 29 hours straight. I guess it depends on the facility but when you are "on call" you're IT. Some places have weekend call as Saturday and Sunday 6 am Saturday until 6 am Monday and others run you from 3 pm on Friday until 6 am Monday. You might get lucky and not get called at all on a weekend and you might get hammered and work your ass of all weekend long. As far as a 4 hour nap.... lol and good luck with that. My suggestion is learn to like coffee.

Bell13, ASN · Jan 24, 2015

Not to discourage you, but being "on call" is part of the Operating Room world. As one of the previous comments where he worked 32 hours straight, he's got me beat as my personal best is 29 hours straight. I guess it depends on the facility but when you are "on call" you're IT. Some places have weekend call as Saturday and Sunday 6 am Saturday until 6 am Monday and others run you from 3 pm on Friday until 6 am Monday. You might get lucky and not get called at all on a weekend and you might get hammered and work your ass of all weekend long. As far as a 4 hour nap.... lol and good luck with that. My suggestion is learn to like coffee.

I appreciate your opinion but I came on here to understand the entire picture. I dont have a problem with on call, just trying to understand it as it pertains to the OR world. So your 'not to discourage you' post is, well, discouraging. Theres a way to convey the pros and cons without the underdying sarcasm. Thank you for your input.

Travel_RN_0714, MSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

I appreciate your opinion but I came on here to understand the entire picture. I dont have a problem with on call, just trying to understand it as it pertains to the OR world. So your 'not to discourage you' post is, well, discouraging. Theres a way to convey the pros and cons without the underdying sarcasm. Thank you for your input.

I was trying to tell you how it is. I found it silly when you asked about a 4 hour sleep break and your comment about how you are "one of those people that appreciates 8 hours of sleep"

Not being sarcastic, but if you think you are only going to work M-F with an 8 hour shift and get sleep breaks when you are on call... you are delusional and are not ready to work in the O.R. and take call. Even when you are "on call" you aren't going to sleep... tossing and turning.. wondering if the pager just went off.... You came onto this forum and asked for an opinion. I'm giving you mine. If you don't like the answer.. well, then don't ask the question if you are afraid of the answer.

Here's a scenario for you..... You're on call. The pager goes off and when you look at it.. the text message says. Trauma Call RED... MVC... Flight for Life ETA 10 minutes...CPR in progress.

Take it for what it's worth... You asked and I told you how it is.

inshallamiami · Jan 24, 2015

well, you gotta give the OP credit for at least thinking about the ramifications BEFORE she/he starts. I have always been amazed by people who took jobs with on call, then were upset when they were called in! Its like people who move in near airports then are "shocked" when there are planes overhead! I personally used to enjoy oncall....it felt like an adventure, and that I was truly doing something to save lives.

Travel_RN_0714, MSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

well, you gotta give the OP credit for at least thinking about the ramifications BEFORE she/he starts. I have always been amazed by people who took jobs with on call, then were upset when they were called in! Its like people who move in near airports then are "shocked" when there are planes overhead! I personally used to enjoy oncall....it felt like an adventure, and that I was truly doing something to save lives.

Was just trying to tell her how it is.... guess the "I appreciate 8 hours of sleep" comment made me laugh. It's not that I enjoy or don't enjoy being on call. Just wanted to let her know that being an OR nurse and taking call is serious ****. Ruptured Spleen with a crushed Pelvis from an MVC. Attempted suicide with gunshot wound to the abdomen. She's looking at the scenario of Monday thru Friday 8 hours on day shift with happy 4 hour sleep breaks ?

Travel_RN_0714, MSN, RN · Jan 24, 2015

well, you gotta give the OP credit for at least thinking about the ramifications BEFORE she/he starts. I have always been amazed by people who took jobs with on call, then were upset when they were called in! Its like people who move in near airports then are "shocked" when there are planes overhead! I personally used to enjoy oncall....it felt like an adventure, and that I was truly doing something to save lives.

I really have to agree with you. Becoming an OR nurse takes months and months of training. When I read a post like this where the OP says.. I like my 8 hours of sleep and do I get a nap break... makes me cringe. So many times we get an RN to orient and they take the full 6 months... the OR nurses break their back training a new person and then when they have to take call.. they quit. It totally sucks and all I'm trying to do is tell it like it is. Being on call is a total "rush" if you can't handle it.. the OR is NOT for you.

MeiLana · Jan 25, 2015

I think OP is trying to figure out what she's in for and that's admirable so she doesn't become one of the statistics that train and then quit...

..and 2nd -- you're completely right about being on-call and not sleeping. I used to take call and I'd wander around wondering what I forgot to pack, tweaking things, then not sleeping or when I did, waking every hour. 'Course, when I'd get the call, I'd be wide awake pretty fast.