Being ‘On Call’ Pays
For many NPs, the issues surrounding taking call are mysterious, and the processes for determining compensation are unsatisfying. But in the end, NPs who take call make higher salaries than those who don't. Read on for the numbers.
Based on the 1,759 responses so far to the 2009 National Salary and Workplace Survey of NPs, 25% of nurse practitioners say they take call. This is the same percentage as those reporting in 2007 that they take call. Of those who take call, 32% get paid for their extra duties. This is a drop from the 38% in the 2007 survey who reported being paid for taking call.
On-call pay is determined in a variety of ways: 32% make an hourly wage for call time -- whether this is their regular hourly rate, time and a half, or a nominal fee such as $2 per hour. Another 22% make a specific amount for unlimited hours or calls. And 10% say they make an additional percentage of their salary. Others receive comp time or a periodic bonus.
But whether or not they're explicitly paid for being on call, NPs who do it make more than those who don't: $91,431 per year on average versus $88,569.
How do you feel about taking call? Is an extra $3,000 a year worth it? Are there benefits besides pay to taking call? Would you do it if you didn't have to?