Overtime when "on-call"

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Specializes in 2 yrs as CNS then ortho, psych, nephro.

HI, i am an acute dialysis nurse and have questions regarding how many hours a rn can work in general in a 24 hour day and also how many hours a RN can work when in a 24 hour on call day. Are there labor laws that regulate this? Sometimes it feels like my company requires too many hours from the nurses.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

In Michigan, I believe it's 20 hours, although as a surg tech, I once worked 21! The last 12 of which was in one surgery...no breaks, couldn't even scrub out to pee! I'm not sure if 20 is the law, but where I work, that is the longest I've seen as an RN. It's not really safe to work more than 16 in a row though!!

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I saw info from the labor board on this, but it would pertain to my state. Best to check with your labor board. They probably have a pamphlet that explains the pertinent regulations.

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Specializes in Dialysis (acute & chronic).

According to the Fair Labor Standards Act 2009:

"FLSA does not limit the number of hours in a day or days in a week an employee may be required or scheduled to work, including overtime hours, if the employee is at least 16 years old. "

The longest I worked as an acute dialysis RN was 23 hrs. I went home, slept for 2 hours - got up and went back in for another 12 hour shift!

This is dangerous. By the time I hit 18 hrs, I had to stand up and move around so I would not fall asleep.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/Oncology/CSU/Managed Care/ Case Management.

Wow...that is dangerous. I often thought that the max was 16 hours... You dialysis nurses do work hard!! Thanks for your great work!! :o) Cath lab nurses have crazy hours too due to on call schedules...

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My charge used to do dialysis and she spent almost 24 hrs in the hospital once. She left due to the hectic on-call schedule which seems to be pretty common.

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