Being late to work...

Grumpygs, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

We have one or two nurses who are chronically late. Not 5 or 10 minutes late, but coming in at 0725 or LATER when the shift starts at 0700. I detest having to wait for them so that I can report off and head for home. Often if they are not on the unit by 0725, I report off to the charge nurse just so that I can avoid overtime (which 'we' get in trouble for from management - though the late comers never seem to be talked to or reprimanded for arriving late...).

THEN they expect to be walked through all of their patients from top to bottom (4 or 5 total - sometimes with 4 or 5 different outgoing nurses) WITH bedside endorsement and confirmation that all the patients are clean, dry and that IV's are infusing and patent OF COURSE!!!

I've even refused to come in for extra shifts if I know that I'll be reporting off to one of the late comers - I feel really disrespected; my time does not appear to be as valuable as theirs, etc. It's ridiculous - really.

I also don't care about whatever their reason is for being late - children, traffic, overwhelmed or depressed - not my problem. I can get myself to work on time (EVERYTIME!!!) I expect my co-workers to be professional and do the same! I don't think that is an unreasonable expectation.

End of rant... :argue: :thankya:

allnurses Guide · Mar 22, 2012

I personally feel there is zero excuse for chronic or even semi chronic tardiness. Most of us know how long it takes us to get ready regardless of how many family members, pets, whatever we have. Most of us know what traffic is generally like between work and home. It is childish, unprofessional and just plain rude.

If I am even a smidge late I am embarassed and upset with myself. I don't understand the self absorption that is unquestionably part of being chronically tardy. I learned the "be on time" lesson as a teenager at my first job. It is right up there with "show up in clean clothing". Grownup 101.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

It happens because it is allowed to happen. If managers would enforce attendance policy, this wouldn't be the problem that it currently is. When we brought it up at a unit meeting with our manager and director, we were blown off with "it is what it is. everyone here knows what time they are supposed to be at work."

In other words "i don't care about this issue, and plan to do nothing about it." Which is exactly what they've done.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Mar 22, 2012

Did the previous poster ever even IMPLY in the teensiest way that she would abandon a patient? Crymeariver, I've seen other posts by you that are self rightous. Get a grip, get spiritual but get real!

CaptKris · Mar 22, 2012

A real manager will recognize "chronic lateness" with a different name. Time theif.

A time thief knows that at 7:07 and 30 seconds, the clocking in system will report her back at "on time 7:00" 1 second after that it clocks her in at 7:15. You can spot time thiefs because they'll clock in at the swipe terminal in the lobby instead of the one on their floor. Usually they're the last to arrive and the first to leave. Always take breaks and work those breaks into longer than they should.

If I need to be on the floor at 6:50 to get report, I'll be there at 6:40. Clock in, copy my cardexs, make my notes, draw my scheduler and be ready for when the first nurse is ready to give report. If I can be out of report by 7:10. I can usually have all 9 o'clock meds and am assessments done and charted by 9. Makes the day go by so much easier if you never get behind.

"The biggest room in the world, is the room for self improvement" - Old Sage

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

Sorry Gold SJ, but you say you are working on this. Great. But....just quit being late, period. It IS that simple. Set your clocks in the house 10 minutes fast if that helps.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

Sorry Gold SJ, but you say you are working on this. Great. But....just quit being late, period. It IS that simple. Set your clocks in the house 10 minutes fast if that helps.

I agree. It's not something to "work on". It's something to DO.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

It builds suspense and makes for a dramatic entrance.

I literally laughed out loud at this.

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.

Agreed. Everyone is tired at the end of their day.

AOx1 · Mar 22, 2012

I found that the problem of tardiness decreased greatly when a group of us refused to give report to a nurse that was 30 minutes late on a regular basis. We instead insisted that the charge nurse or manager assume care and take report, then pass it on to the late nurse. Funny how quickly she was fired when we acted as a group and management was inconvenienced.

wanderlust99 · Mar 22, 2012

Don't get me started......it ****** me the **** off, big time. It's so rude and disrespectful to the nurse who has worked 13 hours and just wants to go home and sleep but has to stay late because you are a lazy idiot who can't make it to work on time.

Also another big thing is nurses who come in at 7 then talk and aren't ready for report until 7:20. Happened to me yesterday. She was talking until 7:20 and I was just sitting there. She finally sat down for report and I told her this is going to be a really quick report because now I only have 5 minutes, I have to leave at 730. I spoke fast, ignored her questions but I gave a detailed report (ICU pt) and told her what was needed.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2012

There are some people I abhor giving report to because I know they'll stroll in at 7:05, take their sweet-time and not be ready to even begin taking report until 7:40... if I'm lucky. And then they'll want me to tell them everything in a verbal report- when was the patient admitted (look at the day of admission when you're looking up your patients), when did the patient have surgery (this information is in the car-dex), what IV fluid the patient has running, what their diet is, what meds they're on (look at your orders). It's painful. We do written report and have computer car-dexes for a reason. So you have all the information you need before you come to look at the patient with me. This same person wants to BEGIN giving report at 6:50 that night when I'm back. This is just disrespectful... I'm expected to stay until 8am giving report but I need to start taking report before 7pm so you can leave? At my hospital, we only get paid for 12 hrs/day if we are a 12 hr shift... regardless of how long we are actually at work. So if I take report at 6:50 and am on the floor by 7pm and then don't leave until 8am, I've worked an hour for free (since I never get a break). Not happening. If the on-coming nurse hasn't arrived by 7:15, I'm not waiting for her. I give report to the charge nurse and tell her to have the other nurse call me if she has any questions.

Gold_SJ · Mar 22, 2012

Well twenty minutes early today XD

Setting the clocks fast might be helpful (thanks joanna) never really thought of something like that.

I agree and disagree with many varied points made throughout this thread and I certainly don't condone chronic lateness I think it's embarrassing and frustrating.

I could go into more detail on many things but I feel a bit foolish for opening myself up for such criticism already. So I'll just say I'll continue my goal for early perfection and that sometimes it's about routine, not the time you rise for getting to work. I've never had one and I'm creating one, it's doing me wonders.

All the best :) I hope my posts were somewhat helpful for the student.