As a new grad, expect to stay late?

[beachbum3]

Maybe a dumb question here:

I start my first RN job on Monday and am wondering, is it to be expected that I'll get off on time or will staying over be a fairly frequent occurrence (not to cover for someone, but to finish up my own stuff)? Also if/when one stays over, it is paid time, isn't it?

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

Ideally, your preceptor should be teaching you how to plan your day so that you can give report to the oncoming shift and leave shortly thereafter. Of course, days rarely go according to "plan", but there is no reason why you would need to stay after report is given and your charting is done.

So when you stay late, you should get paid for it. Don't clock out until you have your coat on and your bag in hand. There is no reason why the hospital should get free labor out of us. If the manager flags you for "excessive OT", that is not your fault. It is an indicator that perhaps the floor could be managed differently and it's a good time to open up a "sure, I'd love to clock out at 7p on the nose, but here's why I can't...." discussion.

Good luck tommorow. It's going to be fine.

Blee

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Tips I've picked up in my (whopping 2 days) time on the floor:

1. Chart as you go as it is possible....chart what you have to right after you get done assessing a patient.

2. Have your meds set and locked with you for the first med pass(which you'll probably get to right after you get done assessing the whole group)

3. Stay on top of your charts, and notice which charts have orders you need to sign off.

4. Check in on your patients often(but not TOO often)...let them rest.

5. Know that you aren't expected to know everything, but the simple things come with time.

6. don't clock out til you're ready to walk off the floor.

[beachbum3]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just wanting to clarify- I meant after I was off orientation for staying late, and I was just asking because I've heard conflicting things- people saying they rarely get out on time, and others who say they always do. Just looking to see what to expect so I can kind of plan the rest of my life (like can I count on getting out on time so I can take my kids to school? etc). And if I can't count on getting out on time, thats ok too- I just need to be prepared to make other arrangements for my kids.

Also, sorry if I'm not making sense yet, I stayed up late and just woke up and still am on my first cup of coffee! Fully enjoying my last day of sleeping in for the week.....

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

there is usually an acceptable period of time for staying over.....usually a 1/2 hour to finish up your stuff.....longer in extraordinary circumstances. getting lunch or breaks is something we don't really expect in the ICU and understand we won't be paid for those. it's just part of the buisness of ICU. eating on the run is more the norm. if you eat and pee during the shift....it's a good good day. :heartbeat

[ArwenEvenstar]

I worked as a hospital bedside nurse for 14 years. You have probably heard conflicting things from different nurses because....when you get out can be variable depending on what shift you work, what type of unit you work on, etc. So you may have to wait until you actually start your job to get a feel for when you'll generally get out.

My experience is that 3-11 is the WORST shift for getting out on time. I worked this shift for awhile at two different hospitals both early in my career and later on as an experienced nurse. It was "normal" for all the 3-11 nurses (not just me!) to not finish until 1 am in the morning!!

Day shift and night shift generally got out on time or close to it.

Unlike many other jobs, a nurse can't always just "stop" because the shift has ended. Sometimes things must be finished and loose ends tied up. I always hated it when a patient crashed 5 minutes before the end of shift...

Getting paid for being late? Variable by hospital. At the second hospital, it was no problem. You were paid from the moment you punched in until the moment you punched out. First hospital I worked at....total opposite. They only paid you for your EXACT shift (like 7-3). And it did not matter if you actually punched in at 6:50 and punched out at 3:30, you were only paid for 7-3. If you wanted to get paid for being late - big hassle and procedure. You had to notify your supervisor one hour before the end of your shift that you anticipated being late. They would try to get help for you if they could. And then if you were late, you had to fill out a long form explaining and defending everything that happened that made you be late. They could reject or accept your "defense" for being late. It was ridiculous!