16+ hour shift....

[KayleeK]

Hello all! This is my first post. This is only my 2nd travel assignment; I need advice to see if this is normal. At my hospital in California call in the operating room is mandatory, which is fine but they schedule my call after my 8 hour shift so I end up working 16+ hours. My shift in the operating room is from 2:45pm-11:15pm (30 minute lunch break). I was on call after that from 11:00pm-7:00am that night. Unfortunately, 2 traumas came in and I was working non-stop from 11pm-7am. Since the OR is not staffed at night and only has the one call team there was no one to give the tech and I a break. I am probably very naive, but is this normal for traveling? It seems unsafe to work that long without a break. I know I shouldn't complain about my job with this economy but I guess it was a really long night and I am very frustrated. Any advice is always appreciated!

[psvec]

I don't know if this is normal or not but it does not sound safe... Do you have safe staffing ratios in your facility? Do you feel like you were able to take care of people when you were so tired? Pat

[debsimb]

Hello,

this is very strange. If a hospital is running two trauma rooms they are

generally a level one trauma center then they MUST staff the OR with a team.

Most of the time with OR call if a person works an off shift- call is minimal.

ALWAYS ask about the amount of call the length of call and questions such as this before you take an assignment and make sure this is on your contract!!!. at smaller OR's always ask if the OR covers c-sections...you are almost surely to be called in for a c-section.

The amount of call you are to take should be on your contract!!!! along with the shift/shifts you will be working!! If you have this you can never be "made" to work something you did not agree to- contractual breech.