Compensation rates for nurses taking on on-call shifts vary widely depending on geographic location, healthcare facility type, union contracts, nursing specialty, and whether the hours are worked during weekdays, weekends, or holidays. Generally, healthcare employers compensate on-call nurses using two distinct structures: a lower hourly standby rate while waiting to be called in, and a significantly higher regular or overtime wage rate if they are actively summoned to the hospital or clinical facility to perform patient care duties. Standby pay often ranges from a modest fraction of the base hourly wage up to a flat hourly rate, whereas active call-back hours usually guarantee a minimum number of paid hours at premium overtime rates. Nurses working in specialized critical care, surgical units, or perioperative environments often command more lucrative on-call differentials due to high demand and emergency staffing requirements. Reviewing specific hospital human resource policies, collective bargaining agreements, and local employment contracts is essential for determining exact compensation figures.