Kewi990

Small unit chiming in - Our call requirements are based on core staffing. Once the schedule is drafted, any holes are placed out to PRN staff first. If there are still holes after this (leaves, vacations etc) then the hours go to mandatory call. Day shift and night shift sign up separately (it rotates who gets to choose first) and are given a required amount by 4 hour blocks - it's time and a half if you're called in. Some months we have no requirement, some months it might be 24 hours. If it's just a sudden need we place an automated call to staff requesting help. A $10 differential is offered if same day. If desperate they'll offer call pay. In general our unit is very good about picking up if staff is needed.

I started in pediatric home health as well and was not a fan. It was a good learning experience, as it was different than any of my clinicals, but it wasn't something I saw myself doing forver. I agree that there isn't enough education in a lot of home health. One of my big issues was overbearing parents that wanted things done their way, overall understandable but when it affected best practice it became hard. I now work in NICU and love it. Training is thorough and constant. There are new opportunities all the time to learn and improve things in the unit or for yourself. Don't base nursing off one department or specialty. Everything is SO different depending where you go. CRNA is a great goal though. Why don't you apply around now that you have a year under your belt, get a new job that challenges you in new ways .. from there you can choose to go back to school and what for if going the advance practice route. Good luck, don't give up on nursing. It's so diverse!