Salaried Field Nurses and Long hours

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6 months ago our agency changed our status to salaried. Everyone is scheduled 8 hr days but of course we actually work that rarely. Most often it is 10, 12, 14 hour days by the time all the charting phone calls etc are completed. We are expected to meet productive levels of 5 patients per day but or course we actually see anywhere from 5 to 11. On average most of 6 -7 patients or 6 with an admission. Driving can be 60 to 180 miles per day. Needless to say everyone is burnt out and frustrated about the pay. When we break it down to actual pay per hour we might as well work at a fast food restaurant. Anyone else experiencing this type of situation. A couple of us offered to work 10hr days which at first was greeted favorably by management. Now they are making excuses. I guess they discovered why pay us when they are currently getting it for free. Hoping someone can give us some constructive methods of dealing with this issue. We are more than tired of working for free.

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It sounds like they are expecting an awful lot of you all. Where I work now the patients are very close together (43 miles today for 9 patients) and I only work 2 days a week so I don't mind getting slammed. But, if I had to work 5 days a week, I would get burned out very quickly with a schedule like you describe. I don't understand it- companies just don't seem to care at all. This seems contradictory since it seems hard to fill and keep filled nursing positions. All I can say is stand your ground and leave if they continue- there are plenty of jobs out there. If you keep getting out more and more burned out it could impact your patient care.

Good luck and hang in there!

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/MICU/SICU/CTICU.
6 months ago our agency changed our status to salaried. Everyone is scheduled 8 hr days but of course we actually work that rarely. Most often it is 10, 12, 14 hour days by the time all the charting phone calls etc are completed. We are expected to meet productive levels of 5 patients per day but or course we actually see anywhere from 5 to 11. On average most of 6 -7 patients or 6 with an admission. Driving can be 60 to 180 miles per day. Needless to say everyone is burnt out and frustrated about the pay. When we break it down to actual pay per hour we might as well work at a fast food restaurant. Anyone else experiencing this type of situation. A couple of us offered to work 10hr days which at first was greeted favorably by management. Now they are making excuses. I guess they discovered why pay us when they are currently getting it for free. Hoping someone can give us some constructive methods of dealing with this issue. We are more than tired of working for free.

This is exactly why I left my full time home care job. One of my last days I had 9 patients, and drove 260 miles. 4 of the patients were over an hr apart, and one was a 2 hr IV case. I left the last patients home at 840PM, and got home around 930.

I went back to the hospital, work 36-40 hrs ea wk, make more money and drive 1/3 of what I did. And guess what, no paperwork at home, no 1 am phone calls that a patient needs a visit, no meetings on Friday afternoon that last for 3 hrs after seeing 7 patients, no pages saying that I have to do an after hours admission 2 hrs from my home. I dont miss full time home care one bit. I have worked 2 days since September in home care, and that was plenty.

I wish you the best!

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Are there other agencies in the area? Sounds like time to move on!

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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.
6 months ago our agency changed our status to salaried. Everyone is scheduled 8 hr days but of course we actually work that rarely. Most often it is 10, 12, 14 hour days by the time all the charting phone calls etc are completed. We are expected to meet productive levels of 5 patients per day but or course we actually see anywhere from 5 to 11. On average most of 6 -7 patients or 6 with an admission. Driving can be 60 to 180 miles per day. Needless to say everyone is burnt out and frustrated about the pay. When we break it down to actual pay per hour we might as well work at a fast food restaurant. Anyone else experiencing this type of situation. A couple of us offered to work 10hr days which at first was greeted favorably by management. Now they are making excuses. I guess they discovered why pay us when they are currently getting it for free. Hoping someone can give us some constructive methods of dealing with this issue. We are more than tired of working for free.
I hate to say it but as long as you and your co-workers continue to do all this extra at no cost to the agency the longer they will expect it. Don't let them screw you out of your money and free time. Stand up for yourself. AS I always say "I was looking for a job when I found this one".
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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Sounds like they are taking unfair advantage, especially in light of the price of gas. I only see patients in my area, refuse to do otherwise, and refuse to see more than 6 patients per day. Tell them what you are/are not willing to do. If they don't like it, find another agency. I get $60/visit. 6visits=$360.00 It usually takes me 4-6 hours to see 6 patients @ $20/hr that would suck! I would not do it. Good Luck.

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