Pls tell me this is common in your Hospital!!!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2008

No, this isn't common where I work. If you are called off, you are OFF. You can use benefit time (are expected to, actually) but it's done in a rotating order, or people often request to be called off if census is low. Maternity and OR have on-call shifts, for which they are paid (I don't remember, but it's not much). This is in addition to regular hours, so it's not like they are losing money for on-calls.

There's no way I'd sit by a phone, having used my benefit time, to see if I get called in. Not in a million. If I get called off, it's understood I'm OFF. If I'm then called back, it better be for bonus pay, or I'm not coming.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2008

Yeah, I wouldnt tolerate that. Like the poster said before me, I'm either on the clock or I'm not. If I'm not on the clock, what I do is no business of yours. I'll go where I please when I please. If you want anything from me, I have to be on the clock. Otherwise............good luck getting ahold of me.

With that said, dont go not picking up the phone when you should until you have a backup plan. I suggest finding a new job pronto, forget waiting a year. This place has shown its true colors. They have an abundence of help right now so they are abusing their position. They wont change.

I would just quietly go about my business, work the shifts I get, and all the while interview for other hospitals. Once I am hired and have the new job locked up, that on call business would be done. My 2 week notice would state that on call status wont be granted, once called of.......I'm gone for the day. If they dont like it, then they dont need to schedule you at all and you'll have a little vaca.

WalkieTalkie, RN · Dec 20, 2008

This happens all the time in my ICU. Some of our cardiac surgeons left recently so we haven't been getting as many surgicals. Also, it's the holidays, so a lot of people aren't scheduling surgery right now either.

NursePaula · Dec 20, 2008

i am actually "called off" today. we can be put "on call" which amounts to being ready to go in at any time, and we are paid about 1/3 of our regular pay while sitting at home, then if we are called in, it is at time and a half (overtime). i hate it sometimes and other times i love hanging at home. i would rather be called off. a few years ago when i was a single mom in a small ob department, that was tough during our slow times, i never did have any vacation time built up. makes it a little easier now that i am married. the hospital that i am at now is going thru some transitions that is messing with the census, but with the economy how it is i am just thrilled to have a job. can you work some agency work during the slow times??? just a thought. good luck, paula

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2008

At my hospital when you're called off, you're off. I work in ICU. Now, if they call you back and you answer the phone and go in, then they'll end up paying you the full 12 hours, OR they'll give you a $100 bonus, which ever is more. But honestly, I"ve never heard of being forced to be on call, with no pay at all!!

SurvivorRN · Dec 20, 2008

Its very frustrating...I wish they would at least pay us a little bit if they take one out of d schedule to be on call. I'm on d look out for a job now to add to my hours......for now.

Ms. Nurse Assistant, LPN · Dec 20, 2008

I experienced the same thing at a LTC facility. I worked 5 days a week, and the two days I had off, the facility would call me several times a day, leaving messages on my voicemail about how they desperately needed me. Once they phoned home asking me to come in, and I was already at work.

yousoldtheworld · Dec 20, 2008

Ugh, that's terrible. I can understand being on call, that happened sometimes at the hospital I used to work at, but you should not by ANY means have to use your vacation/personal time for that!

I would definitely try to seek other employment if you can. That's just not acceptable. Maybe if they keep losing a lot of staff, they'll make some changes.

StarsNStripes · Dec 21, 2008

I'm with you SurvivorRN! In fact, I just came to the forums tonight while I sit here at home "On Call" for a little encouragement. I'm a new grad (May 08) working for a small Catholic non-profit hospital. I was hired in early August for full time nights on Med Surg South. I can't tell you the last time I had a full paycheck. Our unit has been closed since Nov. 21st for Low Census and the MSS staff has been floating to North as well as other units ever since. The way we work is if we're overstaffed, we're called before 5:30pm by the night nursing supervisor and offered either On Call for a whopin' $2/hr or Low Census all together. We can't choose one or the other. We're offered one and that's that. Now we aren't required to take On Call when it's offered but as a new nurse, I'm finding it incredibly hard to say no. I feel as if I have to "pay my dues" to the hardships of the profession. I also know that if I were to refuse On call, there's the chance that no other nurse on the list will accept On Call for the night and I could be called back with a Mandatory Low Census which is no pay whatsoever. I've even heard stories of nurses not answering their phones, getting to the hospital, and being mandatoried before the shift starts.

So here I sit, my 2nd night "On Call" of the week, having only worked this past Monday. I'm really discouraged as well. Currently searching for a non-hospital nursing position but trying to hold out at least until May when I get married so I can take what little vacation time I have built up then.

Hang in there. You're not the only one!

RNperdiem, RN · Dec 21, 2008

I am a per diem who got cancelled today.

I also got called off last week. There is no vacation pay to pull from. If I don't work, I don't get paid.

Getting called off used to be very rare, especially since I am willing and able to float elsewhere that needs staffing. In the past, I would be more likely to get calls asking if I could work extra rather than being called off.

It seems that at my hospital, other nurses are working more overtime, the other per diems are working more hours and the census is low in some areas.

WalkieTalkie, RN · Dec 24, 2008

I've gotten called off/put on call quite a few times. When we are on call we get a measly $1.75/hr and can be called in at any time up until the end of our scheduled shift. I usually end up putting in for PTO when this happens.

It seems to be either feast or famine right now as I am working quite a few "bonus" shifts this month, where I get either $10 or $15 on top of my hourly wage/time and a half/shift differential. One day I'll be working a bonus (we had someone on ECMO), and the next I'll be on call. You really never know what you're going to get!