Work Off the Clock: In your dreams

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

This topic comes up frequently but I just thought it was worth putting my two cents in....

This is a huge issue in LTC nursing in particular and other areas of nursing in general. I think sometimes we are just so happy to have a job that we allow ourselves to be intimidated. When I started working LTC I had just come off a job that required me to be on call for 24 hours a day 7 days a week I was only compensated for 12 hours a day. I was told during my first week that if I did not finish my charting by the end of my shift I would be EXPECTED to clock out and finish on my own time. I looked at the supervisor square in the eye and said, No that won't be happening. I further stated that this policy was in violation of numerous employment laws as well as a gross HIPAA violation since accessing a resident's information while off the clock is not allowed under HIPAA and could result in fines and jail time for both myself and my administration. IF I can't take a break due to staffing or circumstances I don't. If there is no nurse to cover and I leave I am committing Patient Abandonment and putting my license in jeopardy. I told them that I had consulted my attorney on these issues after my last job essentially failed to compensate me for hundreds of hours of overtime and I was unwilling to put myself in that position again. Bear in mind I had been unemployed for 10 months and due to legal issues with my former employer was not going to get a good reference, but I was unwilling to back down on this issue. I have been working there now almost a year and nothing was ever said about this again and I have been paid every dime of over-time I have coming. That being said I don't go out of my way to pad my check either. I have a family and better things to do than goof off at work for extra dollars that mostly get eaten up in Taxes anyway God Bless America!"

Hppy

[RNperdiem, RN]

A sense of self-worth and an awareness of your rights as a person will serve you well in many areas of your life.

When I look back at my younger self, I wish I had that assertiveness that I have now.