I get out on time...

Nurses General Nursing

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BSNbeauty, BSN, RN

1,939 Posts

It also depends on the shift and specialty you are in..... In the ER, I always got out on time. I worked nights and we typically cleared house by time 7 am rolled around.

CodeteamB

473 Posts

Specializes in Emergency.

I can count on one hand the number of times I have stayed more than 20 minutes after my shift was over... Each time was due to a dead or dying patient. I have never stayed late to complete routine charting. I think attitudes towards charting do have a large part to play with chronic late leavers. It is a part of my patient care, and it is important, for patient safety, ease of communication between staff and to protect me. Therefore, I chart as I go and have no problem delegating so that I can chart. If I am mid-sentence and a patient is having an emergency then of course that will take precedence, but a glass of water, warm blanket, trip to the bathroom and yes, even pain meds will hold for the 2-3 minutes it will take me to finish my thought. This is not allowing patient care to suffer, it is prioritizing all aspects of patient care. I have a good friend who routinely stays 45 minutes to an hour after her shift to write all the notes she skipped during the day because she was so busy. This is neither an effective use of her time or safe nursing care. Also, as was pointed out, inpatient nursing is 24/7. It is not the end of the world to pass on some duties to the next shift.

shebie

1 Post

After reading all your response, I really wonder why in our institution or unit, we have to stay 4 more hours or more every shift. It even depends on the patient assignment to you that day. More paperworks to fill up, call bell to respond to, doctors to accompany and the daily meds and things you have to do for your patients that shift.

I know that I'm very lucky to have this job but I am actually burned out with our overtime that is not payed. Maybe we just have to change our time management and how to make priorities before doing things.

wooh, BSN, RN

1 Article; 4,383 Posts

Why is your overtime not paid? THAT is illegal! Anonymous call to the Department of Labor stat!

dudette10, MSN, RN

3,530 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

I am very, very busy during my shifts, but I take my break and get out on time. I never have time to sit and chat like some others do, and I'm not really sure of the difference in time management. I have noticed that I am often completely alone on our short wing. No other RNs or NAs in sight. Not sure where they go. So I answer the lights, get calls for toile ting patients because the NAs are busy, have to call the charge for two-RN checks. All of which takes up time I really wish I could get back. Just yesterday, my pt wanted a blanket. I left the room to get it, and one patient and one family member of another patient (not mine) asked me for two more things. What was going to be a 3 minute task turned into a 10 minute task. For the past two shifts, I have had to call for sharps replacements in three rooms. I am constantly hunting down laundry bags. 9 times out of 10, a bathed patient hasn't had heel protectors and SCDs put back on. Sometimes, an SCD order is already a day old, and they havent been applied. I have to call residents for insulin orders to be changed for former tube feeds. A big ole bag of meds at the bedside for an admission that is a shift old. Where the heck is the diet order, doc, on admits. If everyone did their jobs, my job would be much easier.

lovemyjoblandd

111 Posts

Specializes in L and D.

I work nightshift and the only reason I don't get out of here on time is if the dayshift is late (which used to occur a lot until I just wouldn't let it go and complained so much to the management that they have finally nipped it in the bud) or if some emergency happens right at shift change. I do not love being here. I want to go home. 13 hours a day is enough for me. I will not linger after report. I clock out and leave. It makes the dayshift mad because then they have to get off their butts and put down their coffee and take care of patients, but I honestly could care less. It would be one thing if I was constantly leaving things for them to do, but when I give report you can bet my patient is clean, taken to the bathroom or cathed very recently, new fluids are hung, everything is charted, and usually I already have most of whatever they may need ready for them when they come in. Not to mention that I am always here atleast 15 minutes early and ready to work as soon as I get report.

lovemyjoblandd

111 Posts

Specializes in L and D.
I am very, very busy during my shifts, but I take my break and get out on time. I never have time to sit and chat like some others do, and I'm not really sure of the difference in time management. I have noticed that I am often completely alone on our short wing. No other RNs or NAs in sight. Not sure where they go. So I answer the lights, get calls for toile ting patients because the NAs are busy, have to call the charge for two-RN checks. All of which takes up time I really wish I could get back. Just yesterday, my pt wanted a blanket. I left the room to get it, and one patient and one family member of another patient (not mine) asked me for two more things. What was going to be a 3 minute task turned into a 10 minute task. For the past two shifts, I have had to call for sharps replacements in three rooms. I am constantly hunting down laundry bags. 9 times out of 10, a bathed patient hasn't had heel protectors and SCDs put back on. Sometimes, an SCD order is already a day old, and they havent been applied. I have to call residents for insulin orders to be changed for former tube feeds. A big ole bag of meds at the bedside for an admission that is a shift old. Where the heck is the diet order, doc, on admits. If everyone did their jobs, my job would be much easier.

Aint that the truth!!!! Not only that, but if people would worry as much about their own work and what they are doing as they do about me and mine AND if they would actually work as much as they try to get out of doing any work, my job would be much easier.

qaqueen

308 Posts

Okay, give report to 4 nurses on high acuity pts. Even if everything else is done, do you get out on time?

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