Being late to work...

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2012

In regards to pt abandoment.

I recently asked this question to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) - similar to the Board of Nurses in the States.

I was told that as long as there were some nurses present to attend to the pts, I could not be charged with abdonment if I left at the end of my shift and my replacement had not yet arrived. As long as there are nurses present on the unit, I can safely leave.

Now - this is Canada. The rules in the States might be different, but I thought it was good to know and worth sharing.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2012

We've started taped report because the same people refused to shut up and listen to the off going nurse. It works great...5 min, and we don't need to be in the room.

karamarie91 · Mar 23, 2012

setting the clock at least 10 minutes fast helps.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Mar 23, 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?

It does delay care as the report ends of finishing later, so the new nurse starts behind the flow. It is not negligent to your patients as you are not denying them care. It incurs a large expense to the hospital who must continue to pay the nurse who is now going into overtime. It is hugely unprofessional.

Gold_SJ · Jun 25, 2012

XD Thought I'd give an update. Reading this thread had me reflect an awful lot on my perception.

A variety of members commented on how lateness gave them the feeling their time was not valued, that the individual was lazy, selfishness, how it made them felt undervalued etc etc.

It actually horrified me, as although I commented in the past I struggled with being on time and it'd been something I've been working on. To even consider it's harming/angering/or making another feel less valued upset me.

I never thought people could think such a way and I tremendously value my coworkers.

^.^ So after the reflection I decided although personally I couldn't care if one is late or not. I don't want to create those sort of feelings in fellow workers either who may actually care.

So I became really strict and turned back clocks, set up routines and had family members all assist me in getting out the door. I haven't been late (except twice ) in nearly three months. It's amazing what you can do when determined.

So although I did embarrass myself in this thread I'm actually pleased I read it. It's changed me to one of those ten minutes early types (My coworkers think it's halarious by the way). Just lets me chat with them more I guess I still let them leave early once handing over (We have a half hour overlap).

So thanks everyone for letting me see how something like this can impact another. We all grow up with different lifestyles and I'd never seen the other side of the coin, another's perception and how this can negetively affect their emotions if taken in a bad way. Just because something doesn't worry me, doesn't mean it's the same for everyone else and I'm only sorry I didn't realise this earlier.

caliotter3 · Jun 25, 2012

I've posted before about a former coworker who was consistently late. It angered me when her tardiness caused me to be late to the rest of MY life. It irritated me the other times. I used to wonder how it was that she could do this shift in and shift out with no repercussions. I was told by the hiring manager at a different facility that this nurse was told she could not return to work there. She told me that the person was late to her own nursing school graduation. I wonder if it ever occurred to the nurse that her reputation was discussed throughtout the nursing community and it had cost her at least one job.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Jun 26, 2012

Tardiness was (is) rampant on my unit, and no effort has been made by mgmt to correct the issue.

However, for the last two Mondays we've been emailed a report, with no comment, showing late clock-ins for the whole department during the previous pay period.

Rumor had it that they're trying to find a way to address The tardiness issue because we're in the last phases of our first union contract, and attendance is one of the mandated aspects of the contract.

Jmiami · Jun 26, 2012

In my opinion, it shows poor time management skills. Those skills are crucial in nursing. If one can't even make it to work on time, how can they be trusted to give meds or perform procedures on time? Currently I work in another field while I pursue nursing school, and if you are late at my place of work without documentation proving that it was an emergency circumstance, you are terminated. I would hope that any facility that employs those who are responsible for saving and maintaining life would have a similar policy in place.

Jmiami · Jun 26, 2012

On another note, with people standing two and three deep to take the jobs of those who currently hold them, I don't understand why many facilities put up with this kind of behavior.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jun 26, 2012

Chronic lateness is childish and rude. If one is chronically late, then one needs to figure out what is the appropriate time to get up and get ready and travel to work. Organize oneself prior to going to bed, makes the getting ready for work process faster. People at times have unavoidable circumstances that may make them late. But this should be the exception and not the rule.

Dove87 · Jun 26, 2012

One of my biggest pet peeves! I just find chronic lateness so rude and inconsiderate to the nurses who have just finished a loooong, grueling night shift especially, and all we want to do is give report and go home. On our unit, we had a chronic late nurse who would show up and would never have a good explanation to why she was late (she lived 10 min away too). It was also this same nurse who would constantly not have her written reports completed before the next shift came on. Some nurses just don't get the concept of prioroties and time management - two huge skills that nurses need!!!!

(She is transferring this week after 3 years on this ward) :yelclap:

I love my cat! · Jun 26, 2012

Chronic tardiness is extremely rude, selfish and very disrespectful. It throws off the transition from shift to shift. The person who just finished their 12 hour shift, maybe without a break, has the right to GO HOME. Why should they wait around, covering things that are technically not their responsibility? Also, by being late, one is forcing another Nurse to accrue overtime, which in our facility means you will be written up. So, I am going to get in trouble because the oncoming Nurse is too lazy to be here when their shift begins? Unreal.