A student Enrolled Nurse sent us this message about the severe limitations of casual on-call rostering.
I’m an EN student and currently working as a PCA in an aged care facility (actually with a facility as on-call casual and also with an agency). I feel very used by this industry in my on-call casual role. I noticed the other week they employ something like 15 ENs, of which 10 are on-call casual. In this facility I got two rostered-ahead shifts and have to reply to texts for any other shifts on offer. I was booked for an 8 hour shift a month ago and then get a change of shift, reduced to 5 hours. I asked why the change? Oh, we rostered two on so had to give it to the permanent staffer.
I am so disappointed that so many staff are on-call casual and feel that as an EN finishing training next year the potential for a stable working life is limited.
I’m in my 40s and need to support myself. It’s very disappointing. Wish I’d known this before I began.
How widespread is this sort of casual rostering? Do you have experience of it too?