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In the fast-paced healthcare ecosystem, timely response and quality patient care are two factors that define the success of any healthcare facility. But what most medical institutes struggle with is offering quick care after regular hours. That’s where on-call nursing comes in.
On-call nursing offers clinics the flexibility to provide immediate medical attention outside normal operation hours. So you can ensure continuous patient care and smooth operations.
But the most important question is how does it work, right? Worry not; we are here to answer your questions. Our team at CSE Connect is dedicated to helping clinics like yours with every staffing concern, so you can focus on what matters the most – providing seamless treatment.
Here, we will explore the concept of on-call nursing and offer practical insights to implement an organized structure for your healthcare facility.
What is a Nurse on Call?
On-call nursing is an important healthcare component getting popular nowadays.
To ensure patients receive rapid response and quality care even in emergencies, clinics set up a system where nurses stay on standby and respond quickly. A nurse on call will be available to answer urgent medical needs outside the shift hours, even on nights, weekends, or holidays.
This kind of framework can be useful in countries like Ireland, where the need for emergency care is continuously growing. According to the Irish Examiner, nearly 1.7 million emergency cases were recorded in Irish hospitals in 2023. So, on-call nursing can help a lot in addressing patients’ needs and offering prompt care.
In on-call nursing, nurses are assigned a call period. They should be reachable by phone or pager and able to show up at the clinic within a specified timeframe (usually within 30 minutes to an hour).
Some of the key responsibilities of on-call nurses are:
- Assessing patient conditions over the phone
- Providing initial guidance
- Determining whether an in-person visit or hospitalization is necessary
When it comes to on-call nurse roles, you must evaluate a nurse’s communication and decision-making skills.
In this setting, nurses are compensated for being on call, even if they’re not called in, with additional pay if they do work. This system can help medical facilities maintain adequate staffing levels while managing costs and providing flexibility for both the institution and nursing staff.
Benefits of an On-Call Nursing Framework
Developing a well-structured on-call nursing framework not only benefits the patients but also healthcare facilities and staff. This essential system ensures continuous, high-quality patient care while promoting a balanced work environment for nursing professionals.
Let’s see how it can benefit your organization:
Rapid Response and Flexibility
One of the primary advantages of an on-call nursing framework is rapid responses to emergent situations. Nurses who are on-call can quickly mobilize to address urgent patient needs.
This flexibility will ensure your patients receive timely care without delays, which can significantly impact health outcomes.
Enhanced Patient Care Continuity
As we all know, continuity of care is important in healthcare, especially for patients with chronic conditions or those recovering from surgery.
On-call nurses contribute to seamless transitions between scheduled shifts, ensuring that there’s always someone available to monitor patient progress, administer medications, and provide necessary treatments. This continuity can reduce the risk of medical errors and improve your overall patient satisfaction.
Cost-Effective Resource Utilization
With on-call nursing, you can optimize your resource allocation. Instead of maintaining a full-time nursing staff round the clock, you can utilize on-call nurses during peak demand periods or emergencies. This will help in controlling labor costs while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Work-Life Balance for Nurses
For nursing professionals, on-call schedules offer a more flexible work-life balance compared to traditional shifts. Nurses can choose on-call shifts that fit their personal schedules and commitments, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and reduced burnout rates.
This flexibility is particularly beneficial for nurses with caregiving responsibilities or those pursuing further education.
Adaptability to Changing Healthcare Needs
Healthcare needs can fluctuate unpredictably with factors like seasonal illnesses or community health trends.
An on-call nursing framework allows you to scale the workforce up or down based on current demands, ensuring that resources are efficiently allocated where they are most needed.
Tips for Implementing an Effective On-Call Nursing Framework
Setting up an on-call nursing facility can be a valuable asset for your clinic, ensuring continuity of care and providing support during off-hours. But to make it work properly, you will need a strong plan.
Here are some key points to get started with:
- Set clear communication channels to ensure that on-call nurses can be reached easily and promptly. Use tools like dedicated phone lines, secure messaging apps, or pagers. Ensure all staff members are aware of the communication protocol and have access to the necessary contact information.
- Provide thorough training for on-call nurses to handle emergencies and unexpected situations. This should include clinical skills, communication strategies, and familiarity with the facility’s policies and procedures.
- Create a structured and fair scheduling system to distribute on-call shifts evenly among nurses. Consider factors like nurse experience, specialty areas, and personal preferences. You can even use scheduling software.
- Develop standardized handover procedures to ensure smooth transitions between shifts. This should include detailed patient information, ongoing treatments, and any potential issues that may arise.
- Implement policies that allow for adequate rest periods between on-call shifts and regular duties.
Pay Structure for Nurse on Call
On-call duty often disrupts the personal time of the staff, so you should appreciate their efforts and dedication. You must create a fair compensation policy and define nurse on call pay rates, including overtime pay and stipends.
While you can decide the pay rate on your own, you need to comply with some standard rates mandated by HSE (Health Service Executive).
| Service | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| On call with standby – Each Day | Monday to Friday: €35.68 | Per 12 hour period, pro-rated after 12 hours. |
| Saturday: €45.83 | Per 12 hour period, pro-rated after 12 hours. | |
| Sunday and Public Holiday: €61.95 | Per 12 hour period, pro-rated after 12 hours. | |
| Call Out Rate – Monday to Sunday | €35.68 | Per 2 hours between 5pm and 10pm. |
| €53.51 | For operations lasting more than 2 hours and up to 3 hours between 5pm and 10pm. | |
| €89.19 | For operations lasting more than 4 hours and up to 5 hours between 5pm and 10pm. | |
| €35.68 | Per hour after 10pm. | |
| On call without standby | €71.36 | Per operation, call in without standby |
By offering adequate compensation to Irish life health nurse on call and recognizing their efforts, you can make them feel valued and motivated.
FAQs on On-Call Nursing
Q1. What challenges do on-call nurses commonly face?
On-call nurses often face unpredictable schedules, which can disrupt personal life and sleep patterns. They must be prepared for a variety of medical situations, sometimes without prior knowledge of the patient’s history. Additionally, they might work in unfamiliar environments, requiring quick adaptation and strong problem-solving skills under pressure.
Q2. How does on-call nursing contribute to patient care continuity?
On-call nurses are important in patient care. They take care of patients and make sure they’re doing okay during shift changes. This includes giving medications, taking care of urgent needs, and passing on important information to the nurses and doctors taking over. This smooth handoff helps patients get the care they need without any breaks, even at night or on weekends.
Q3. What training and support should healthcare facilities provide to on-call nurses?
Healthcare facilities should offer comprehensive orientation programs focusing on emergency protocols and the use of medical equipment. Regular training updates and simulations are crucial for maintaining skills. Additionally, providing access to mental health support and fostering a collaborative work environment helps on-call nurses manage the unique stresses of their role.
Final Thoughts
Implementing a well-planned on-call nursing program will be a strategic solution to optimize patient care, staff well-being, and financial efficiency.
To start with an on-call nursing structure, we have given you enough insights in this blog. So, what are you waiting for? Start creating an on-call strategy that bolsters the quality of patient care and optimizes your staff efficiency.
If you need further assistance with on-call nursing or healthcare outsourcing, CSE Connect can help.
Esther San Emeterio Garciandía
Esther holds a degree in Philosophy and Arts, specializing in Education Sciences, from the University of Navarra, Spain. She has completed two years of training as a transpersonal therapist at the Transpersonal Development School (EDT). With 30 years of experience at Colegio Santa Magdalena Sofía, FESB, Esther has taken on roles such as Educational Counsellor and held various management positions for 14 years, including the last 8 years as Principal General Manager. She is also a staff trainer and currently the Director of Human Resources at CSE Connect.