Big Mouth Strikes Again…

It is our Hospital policy that when the census is down and one is placed on call (because there are not enough patients to work one’s regularly scheduled shift) that one a) answer’s his or her listed telephone number; and b) arrive at the Hospital within 30  minutes…

I got a call at 2240 asking me to come in. This Sunday was NOT a regularly scheduled shift. The C.N.A. that was regularly scheduled to work (whom had been placed on call) was unable to be reached.

Well, the Nurse’s were desperate for help. So, I was asked to come in. I decided to be a team player…but only after the Tech calling me in said that she felt the on-call tech wasn’t answering her phone because she was “frustrated” and looking for a new job. Perhaps…we all get frustrated from time to time, but what ethics does it take one to have to abandon ship? Thinking this I said: ” It’s one thing to be frustrated, but to refuse to answer a phone and playing games over it is unprofessional.” There was dead air for about 2 minutes then the Tech said to me: “well, sometimes when you are on-call you fall asleep.”  My snarky comment back: “responsible people, even if they fall asleep, hear the phone ring.”

Tech who called me is very good friends with Tech who didn’t answer. But I stand by what I say…when one works graveyard shifts REGULARLY and is acclimated to that type of schedule…it is unlikely that one is sleeping. Also, who goes into a deep sleep when on call and getting “on call pay?”

I was irritated…but mostly because this person, despite doing things like not take call when she is “on call” calls in sick every 3 out of 12 shifts…she has not had to be accountable for her bad behavior and in my opinion has perpetuated her action to consistently do things that make it hard for her colleagues. Often when she calls in sick, the Nurse’s are slammed and left stranded. You either commit or don’t commit to your schedule…if the choice is NOT to commit, then resign your postion and let someone who truly wants the job have it!!!

Now, because I’ve said something derogatory, I’ll have to either side-step the issue or get into a verbal reposte because I didn’t keep my opinion to myself. Will I ever learn? Me and my big mouth!!!