Shift change rant

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in LTC, Hospice.

It never fails. Shift change is at 6am. No one wants my halls even though it's assigned. 6:15 comes and goes, no relief. Sometimes it's 6:30, time for me to clock out, and no relief. It's not because they arent there, it's because they are at the main nursing station gossiping. I'm tired and want to go home. Any suggestions on how to light a fire under them?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

You need to go up to them and say hey guys, I'm tired and want to get going, could you please come get report. Do it nicely. I have found being direct is the only way to go.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Go up to the nurse and grab them aggressively by the arm and pull them to the hall, all while starting your report.

This is a very effective method. It may, however, result in disciplinary action. :-)

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You need to go up to them and say hey guys, I'm tired and want to get going, could you please come get report. Do it nicely. I have found being direct is the only way to go.

I agree with this, except for the doing it nicely part. If they are gossiping and wasting time when they know that report it as 6am, then they are being disrespectful to you, plain and simple. I would go right up to them at 6:01am and say that my shift is over and I am ready to give you report. If you go up to them in a wishy-washy way then they will likely not take you seriously and continue to disrespect your time and boundaries.

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I agree with this, except for the doing it nicely part. If they are gossiping and wasting time when they know that report it as 6am, then they are being disrespectful to you, plain and simple. I would go right up to them at 6:01am and say that my shift is over and I am ready to give you report. If you go up to them in a wishy-washy way then they will likely not take you seriously and continue to disrespect your time and boundaries.
Yeah, but you can catch more flies with honey then with vinegar. You still have to work with these people, after all.
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Specializes in critical care.
It never fails. Shift change is at 6am. No one wants my halls even though it's assigned. 6:15 comes and goes, no relief. Sometimes it's 6:30, time for me to clock out, and no relief. It's not because they arent there, it's because they are at the main nursing station gossiping. I'm tired and want to go home. Any suggestions on how to light a fire under them?

Wow, these people are rude. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. We ALL know what the end of the shift feels like, and we ALL should be considerate and sensitive of that. I think management should be involved in this issue.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

At my last job there was an issue with people chatting after shift change and clocking out half hour after report. This only changed when management stepped in. If this doesn't stop with directly speaking to the offenders, management may be the next step. Because it isn't fair. Plus they are clocking in and not working so they're getting paid for not working. Management doesn't like that.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

You can say it with a smile and mean it, being nice isn't always wishy washy, and being mean or rude could land YOU in hot water.

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Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.

When i've tried the nice route without suucess, heres what i do next.

My overtime because i get out late is being tracked. If i get written up for it, your name will be on the report too, so lets get going

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/LDRP/Ortho ASC.

I usually just ask the charge nurse who is going to take my pts...then I walk right up and gently interrupt the gossip sesh. "Good morning! I heard you're going to take room seven. I've got everything ready for report so let's head in there." Not "nice" but not rude. Assertive is the word I would choose.

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I don't understand. Why are you waiting for them? Do you like being mad and late?

Go up to your relief and start giving report at 6. I mean, they are there and it's time.

That's what I do. I'm not mean about it, just firm.

"Hi, Rude and Inconsiderate Nurse. It's (shift change time). The lady in 24...., oh, you aren't ready? I'm leaving in fifteen minutes. Here are the highlights, then. You can call me until (an hour from now) if you have any questions. I hope you will be ready at shift change next time."

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I usually just ask the charge nurse who is going to take my pts...then I walk right up and gently interrupt the gossip sesh. "Good morning! I heard you're going to take room seven. I've got everything ready for report so let's head in there." Not "nice" but not rude. Assertive is the word I would choose.

OP, this is the advice you need. Perfectly appropriate and professional. If this doesn't work, maybe approach your manager.

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