Being late to work...

dudette10, MSN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

What effect does being late to work have on your unit? How about your patients??

It ticks off the nurses--and rightfully so, especially for those who are chronically tardy--who want to report off to you and go home. Depending on how tardy the on-coming is combined with the waiting line to report off to other nurses, it may cause unnecessary overtime for the off-going nurses. So, the off-going nurses get griped at because of a tardy nurse!

It doesn't really affect patients at all.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

undoubtedly, it brings all sorts of emotions in the unit and not good ones:madface:. having said that, i do understand that sometimes we can't control some situations. however, it's common courtesy, not to mention unprofessionalism to be late, specially when you're reliving the night shift. in addition, you start your shift in the wrong foot. therefore, my advise is don't be late if you don't want any drama at work...just saying...remember don't start none won't be none~

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 20, 2012

we had a chronic late comer once. Staff talked to her, nurse manager talked to her --- she just could not make it in on time. So we went to CNO who made it part of the policy that tardiness was a policy infraction that accrued points and enough points could get you fired. We finally got rid of her.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

having said that, i do understand that sometimes we can't control some situations.

absolutely! for someone who is never late, but comes in late one day, the most likely reaction from off-going nurses would be concern.

DixieRedHead, ASN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

I don't understand chronic late comers. I certainly do understand that there are rare instances.

To keep from being chronically late, here is a practice that I found helpful.

I was never late except the day I had a wreck.

Set the clock. Get up when it goes off. Get ready. Go to work.

sarabellum1 · Mar 20, 2012

It ticks off the nurses--and rightfully so, especially for those who are chronically tardy--who want to report off to you and go home. Depending on how tardy the on-coming is combined with the waiting line to report off to other nurses, it may cause unnecessary overtime for the off-going nurses. So, the off-going nurses get griped at because of a tardy nurse!
It doesn't really affect patients at all.

So being late doesn't delay patient care?? I have to write a paper and since I don't work as a nurse and am not familiar with how the day flows, I am trying to get opinions from all of you experienced nurses. Thank you for your help! Also, can being late for your shift be considered negligence to the patients?

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

Chronically late people....can't stand it. How does it affect us...well, someone has to usually stay until you get there, or give written report to the charge nurse who has to pick up your patients until you get there. If we have a lot of kids going for procedures then that is NOT fair to the off going staff to have to get your kids where they are going and you stroll in and hang out for a few hours until they come back. Things get behind then...babies don't like to wait to be fed.

We have a point system, so if you are late 5 times you get written up, 10 times you are toeing the line, 15 times you could get fired. That kind of solved the late issue.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

So being late doesn't delay patient care?? I have to write a paper and since I don't work as a nurse and am not familiar with how the day flows, I am trying to get opinions from all of you experienced nurses. Thank you for your help! Also, can being late for your shift be considered negligence to the patients?

Are you referring to being an hour late because you didn't set your alarm or some other circumstance which causes major lateness ... or the chronic condition of clocking in at 7:04? :rolleyes:

No, this is not negligence ... you have not assumed care of any patients, therefore there is no breach of duty in the legal sense.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Mar 20, 2012

It builds suspense and makes for a dramatic entrance.

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2012

however, it's common courtesy, not to mention unprofessionalism to be late, specially when you're reliving the night shift

its just as bad to be late relieving day shift/evening shift. we have several night shift nurses who are chronically late, yet make a huge point of walking out the door at 7:30 am on the button. because there are more day shift nurses than night shift, the night shift never has to stay late waiting for day shift. on the other hand, because their are fewer night shift nurses, sometimes a day shift nurse has to stay to ensure safe staffing.

before the bus i take expanded its schedule, there were a couple of occasions where i had to take a taxi home because the night shift rn was 30 minutes late.

sarabellum1 · Mar 20, 2012

Are you referring to being an hour late because you didn't set your alarm or some other circumstance which causes major lateness ... or the chronic condition of clocking in at 7:04?
No, this is not negligence ... you have not assumed care of any patients, therefore there is no breach of duty in the legal sense.

I guess I am referring more to the chronic condition of being late, no matter how late. (Writing a paper like this makes me want to puke right now..haha!!)