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