Do you always get out of work on time?

sandytoes · Apr 15, 2016

This is something I am working on. I have a hard time finishing report on time (not for me being wordy but for report being involved and having to report to multiple people and basically having to wait my turn...). I do try my hardest to have all my charting done before report but the 5-7 hours are so busy that doesn't always happen. I also struggle with knowing when it's OK to not do something for the oncoming shift. I'm a relatively new nurse and I want the reputation of helpful and the nurse you want to follow. But I know I need to find the sweet spot there too. Anyways, Getting out on time is on my list of things to do better this year... I imagine it's practice makes better (never will be perfect!!).

seaofclouds21, BSN, RN · Apr 15, 2016

I usually get out on time. It is a rare instance when I get out late, and even then it's within 30 minutes of my normal time. In the year I've been at my currently job, I've only been more than 30 minutes late once and it was due to an emergency just before shift change.

Rexie · Apr 15, 2016

I rarely get out exactly on time. Usually, I'm only 15 minutes late. The night shift comes in at 1915 and unless they begin to take report early, it is next to impossible to give report on 5 patients to 5 different nurses in a 15 minute time frame. If there are fewer nurses to hand off to, then I'm a happy girl and out the door on time.

I don't know why, but lately it seems like patients develop issues at 1730 or 1800 that require pagin the doctor, waiting for return calls, getting orders, adjusting orders, waiting on pharmacy, etc. And then there are the admissions that roll up at 1800, which gives me just enough time to get the admission done, if the patients are alert and oriented, speak English, and take an interest in their own care. I've seen way too many lately whose children or spouse take care of everything but they've gone home and I'm left with a patient who knows little to nothing. And then there are the days when we're short help and I can't seem to chart more than 5 single items before I have to jump up and answer a call light or the phone.

I've had managers who seem to think that we're somehow slacking off and then getting out late. That is not the case. Every nurse I know wants to get out on time and go home at the end of a long day.

annabanana2 · Apr 16, 2016

I get out on time probably 80% of the time. If I'm staying late it's not normally more than 15-30 minutes at the most. Rarely, a few times a year, I will end up staying an hour or two or more late caring for a crashing palliative client and waiting for the shift care nurse to arrive. If I'm done everything and ready to leave but note that my coworkers still seem to be madly charting away I usually ask around and see if they need help with anything (as they do when they're ready to leave but I'm still working). It's so nice to work with a team that tries our best to get everyone out on time, not just ourselves.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Apr 16, 2016

I'm in the OR and the days that I stay late are:

1) It's my scheduled late day

2) The case isn't going well and I don't think it's a good idea to leave

3) I volunteer to stay for a while

djh123 · Apr 16, 2016

Always get out on time? How about almost never get out on time. Numerous reasons for that, of course.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Apr 16, 2016

When I work evenings, I hardly get out on time. When I work noc, I get out on time all the time.

canigraduate · Apr 16, 2016

Nope. I rarely get out on time.

Our unit is very fast paced and very poorly run.

I usually get a late admit. For some reason, all the people I've had flip into afib with RVR happen right before shift change. Also, the aides check blood sugars at 0630, so if there's a low it happens right before shift change.

And, if a patient's going to crump, they tend to crump on night shift, so I feel like I have a lot of people upgraded.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Apr 16, 2016

Unless I got an admit to the ICU within an hour of quitting time- I was out on time 95% of the time. We had an unspoken 'no socializing until everyone's caught up' rule.

nurseinthezoo · Apr 17, 2016

Most of the time.

MMC.RN · Apr 17, 2016

Yup! I'm always out on time, well almost always unless I don't finish paperwork or charting that can't wait or end up talking to the oncoming RN about something. Rarely, we get an admission late in the shift. I hate leaving things for the next RN so I stay and finish things up. Usually this is only during the transition from AM to PM. I am almost always out on time when I work PMs, unless some crisis occurs before shift change or I get forced to the night shift.

Katie_jo · Apr 19, 2016

I am a new nurse (just passed my 1 year mark yay!) And it took me a couple weeks before I was leaving on time between gaining a routine, confidence on the floor and working on time management skills. now most of the time I leave on time or no more than 15-30 min late, but once in awhile with an admit or a bunch of other stuff going on I stay an 3xtra hour or two. My manager would rather us stay and get our charting done then leave with things missed.