Do nurses spend more of their times in table rather than in patient side?

Since you're a student, I think it's normal for you to observe almost everything. But that is also called learning, when I was still a student, I observed the staff from different hospitals, may it be how they talk, they command, they interact or how they care or attend the needs of every patient they have because I was learning from them and kinda imagined what my life will looked like after passing the board exam. I graduated in the Philippines and I know that as a student nurse you are somehow expected to move almost every minute except breaks, not to mention that you're not allowed to sit whenever you want to. So when I finally became an RN, I want to learn a lot however I really don't mind if some of the nurses are sitting doing something or just being at the table doing nothing, because I was there to gain experience and do my job as a nurse as long as they're willing to help me or assist me if I needed them, then that's what matters to me. Since you mentioned it often happens in a ward, it's normal for them to go to the table and write or check the charts once in a while because you need to sign medications, document what you did (imagine if you care for five patients you need to keep their charts updated as much as possible), check or carry out doctors' order, etc.

I don't know how it's going in other hospital or other country. But in all hospital where I used to practice (I'm a student), I always see that the nurses spend more of their times in table, sitting, filling form, documentating, rather than go to patient's room. I mean this is happen in the ward, not in OR or intensive care or clinic. Can you tell me how it should be or this thing also happens in yours?

I do see the nurses spend alot of time charting. But part of my clinical experience required us to do SOME charting of my patients only once a day. Now multiply that by 4-7 patients and having to chart multiple things throughout the day.

Did I feel like they sacrificed good patient care in order to chart? Nope, never.