On Call versus Case manager

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

Hi folks,

So, I'm curious what your thoughts are on a on call weekend position (4pm Friday to 8am Monday) versus a case manager position (M-F 8am-4:30pm) in regards to work/life balance and overall job satisfaction. I know case management can be all consuming but my worry with the on call position would be that you could get swamped with calls requiring urgent attention and be pulled in a thousand directions. Is this the case? Thanks for any insights you can provide!

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Specializes in Hospice.

What is the average census for this agency and what geographic distance is the service area?

Those would be 2 pieces of information that to me would be significant considerations for this question.

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I work in hospice although not in an RN role. From what I have seen at my hospice, if you really want true work-life balance, the on-call on the weekends would fulfill this. The RNCMs are slammed with a certain quota of patients to see within five days, whereas the on-calls work their two days and that's it. Additionally, since the on-call position is at night, I imagine that will make things a little more mellow.

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.
On 8/8/2019 at 9:09 PM, vampiregirl said:

What is the average census for this agency and what geographic distance is the service area?

Those would be 2 pieces of information that to me would be significant considerations for this question.

So, I do not yet know what the census or how large the service area is yet, I'll definitely ask though if I get asked to an interview.

On 8/10/2019 at 11:14 AM, db2xs said:

I work in hospice although not in an RN role. From what I have seen at my hospice, if you really want true work-life balance, the on-call on the weekends would fulfill this. The RNCMs are slammed with a certain quota of patients to see within five days, whereas the on-calls work their two days and that's it. Additionally, since the on-call position is at night, I imagine that will make things a little more mellow.

Thanks for your input!

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Our weekend on-call nurse loves the job for the most part as our on-call nurses get a fixed minimum pay whether they go out on visits, take calls, or not.

The work-life balance comes into play regarding having the other days of the week off, and only working the on-call time frame.

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I'm a weekend on call RN for hospice.. and I can definitely say- it's not mellow in any way, shape, or form. I get calls all day long and all night too.. it's extremely busy, then I spend the next week doing paper work.. it all has pros and cons. As a case manager you know your patients, as on call, you don't.. so this makes it a little more tough.. you will just have to decide what you're more comfortable with.. good luck! Kim

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