Dealing with Being On Call

Being on call does not mean that you have to suffer along with your friends and family. Creating and maintaining clear lines of when you are and are not on call is important. If people think you will always be available no matter what, they will feel comfortable contacting you.

Your phone is probably driving you crazy going off all the time. The first step to taking control of your on call life is to want to do something about it. 

Willpower

It is going to be difficult to break habits and expectations that you have already developed and set. Stand behind your convictions and do not give in and go back to your old routines. Even if you get backlash from pulling back, it is your decision, and you do not have to help anyone when you are not on call. Enjoy your breaks. Learning how to balance your time when you are on call will help you to know when to jump when your inbox says to. It will also let you take a break when you need to.

Related: Professional Development and Communication Highlighted at The International Nurses Association’s Educational Seminar

Preparation

Being prepared to get that call is almost as important as responding to the call. Having everything you need in one bag to grab and go will be much easier than trying to get everything together in a hurry. There is a chance that you might forget something, so being prepared is crucial.

Setting Boundaries

Being on call is not the same as working. If you get the feeling that your on call days are no different than staying up all night and practically working, you might need to speak with your higher-ups. Working around the clock is different from being available when needed, and there should be a clear designation between the two. Sleep is okay, especially when it passes the point where email is the way to reach you. There should be a point where others know that they should call to reach you since you are away from your computer. It is entirely okay to tell your coworkers to call you since you are going to bed. Procedures and hand-offs should be set in stone. Your coworkers, managers, and patients should know when and how to contact you to best work with you. It should also be easy to hand off your shift easily to someone else without worrying about finishing anything up. Disconnecting is okay as long as you let your coworkers know that you are doing it. Take time to sit down with your family at dinner while not having to worry about being called during those 30 or so minutes.

Related: Social Media

Being on call does not have to be dreadful and tiring. If you allow yourself to take breaks, sleep, and disconnect, you will be much abler to handle what comes your way, especially in the middle of the night. Being prepared is just as important as making sure that your coworkers know when and how to reach you when you are on call. Ensure that you are not letting them take advantage of you and your availability, and retake some of that free time that you are just letting fly by as you work tirelessly to please others.

How do you handle being on call?

Related: International Nurses Association - What's Your Superpower? T-shirt 

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