I get out on time...

[nursedanny614]

Is that rare? Or do nurses tend to exaggerate? I do what I gotta do and on time.

[Biffbradford]

I usually punched out within 5 minutes of quitting time, but often it's out of your control. You could be stuck for 5 minutes or 2 hours!

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

I almost always have gotten out on time. Only times I haven't is when a patient is currently coding and I need to hang around to share as much info as possible or the patient is just taking a dive and approaching coding. Otherwise, yup I'm clocking out at 7:10 (earliest we can leave without pay docking clock out time is 7:15).

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Some days I do, some days I don't. Depends on what was going on that day, especially at/near shift-change time.

[qaqueen]

Some days I do, some days I don't. Depends on what was going on that day, especially at/near shift-change time.

No Kidding! If I have 5 patients that are ambulatory and alert and oriented, I might get out on time. Depends on what kind of mood the oncoming nurse is in. Have actually had oncoming shift tell me they were not ready for report at 0730, because they were reviewing labs and orders.

I guess I am still too new at this, but I cannot walk away from a patient that needs to be toileted when there is nobody responding to their call lights.

This morning as we were finally wrapping up, a lovely nurse that I work with told me,

'after 730, do not go into the patients room, it is no longer your responsibility'. I told her I knew she was right, but I just couldnt walk away from somebody that needed assistance.

Okay, I am a sucker, I admit it. I am also one of those people who gets crabbed at for punching out late.

Guess I just need to toughen up a bit.

[sistasoul]

Beckster,

Totally agree. Patient care before charting. Compassion is not efficient that is why nurses can barely spend time at the bedside due to all our other demands.

[chrisrn24]

95% of the time I get out on time. If I don't its typically because things went to poop just before shift change.

[sistasoul]

Qaqueen,

You sound like a kind and caring nurse. The administration wants those good customer service scores which not answering call lights decreases those scores. Administration wants you to leave on time yet find a way that all people are not on their lights. They can not have it both ways. Something has to give. I am happy to hear there are some people who actually care enough about the patient to risk hearing the wrath about overtime to help them. I think those that make the rules should be in a hospital at change of shift and they are ringing to go to the bathroom. When they are forced to old it they should be told there is no one available to help them because it is change of shift and no one can get overtime. We will see how they like it.

[sistasoul]

Sorry about all the typos in the above message.

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

You can't compare day shift and night shift they are two different balls of wax. ( I have worked both) that being said ....I usually leave on time on days too....if im late its usually 15 minutes.

[KJ87, BSN, RN]

When I did my senior practicum in nursing school, my preceptor and I got everything we needed to do done on time. Yet we rarely got off before 7:30 because we had to wait for the next nurse to come in and give report. It's not always a matter of being behind in your work.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I would be quick to call BS on nurses who "aren't ready" to take report at the beginning of their shift. You get to work on time, and assume care of assigned patients. Looking up labs/orders before getting verbal report is an organizational tool some may choose to use, but to delay another nurse in order to organize yourself is ludicrously self-centered and disrespectful.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

I get out on time most shifts. I try not to stay 30 min. pass my shift. I focus on the important stuff. As long as my assessments, priority charting, and my patients are pink and breathing then I'm out the door. Nursing is 24/7. If I do every single thing that is required I would never get out on time.