Weekend on-call shift

lotlie · Jan 23, 2012

I've just been hired to work the weekend on-call shift which begins at 5 pm Friday and ends 8 am Mon. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on how to survive this type of shift. My area spans 100 miles and I'm wondering if I should get an apartment that is centrally located since my fiancee's house is at one end of the area I'm responsible for. I'm excited about starting my career in hospice, but I'm concerned about getting some sleep.

I worked those hours for about a year in a large city. I loved it, the work is very rewarding. To be able to help a family in crisis is such a great feeling. I enjoyed not being a case manager, but still getting to know families overtime. What is bad, and why I was forced to quit was when the company got busy, but did not change coverage. Also, they took away my night time back up. I did begin losing too much sleep, and driving all hours of the day and night. Yes, a centrally located apartment would be ideal. I often wished I wasn't so far on the west side.Get rest anytime you get a break, no matter how long it's been since you last rested. Only out for 4 hours Saturday morning? Get a nap! No telling what Saturday night will hold.I think it's the best part of hospice care. Good luck! I hope it goes very well for you.

Meliss214 · Jan 23, 2012

Thank you Lotlie for your response. I've read that being on-call involves less paperwork than being a CM. My main challenge will be finding time to sleep. I've been told by my manager that if I get a 2-3 hr break, I'm good to go for another 12 hrs. I will pull over and catch a power nap in my car if I'm feeling exhausted because I'm not willing to endanger my patients with poor nursing care as a result of fatigue.