I received a "write up" warning at my LTC

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Apparently, I have committed the terrible sin of "working overtime." How dare I want to be a responsible person and do the " medicare charting" before I go home. What was I thinking?

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Specializes in Hospice.

Been there done that. Generally I'm pretty good at getting out on time, even with the charting. Sometimes though, I have one of "those" nights and just can't get out on time. I've found that if I fill out a missed punch slip with the reason I had to stay over, I don't have as much trouble. In fact, since I started doing that, they've never mentioned those times when I stay over. Like I said, it's the exeption for me, but at least I'm letting them know what's going on when I do stay.

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Be very careful. I worked at a LTC facility that fired a nurse for not being able to get her charting done, this nurse actually clocked out, then did her charting thinking she was doing a good thing, management found out then fired her basically for clocking out then working, or so they said.

Of course that was when the company was "restructuring" and management was thinning out. I was in on the firing time when they just couldn't come up with anymore ligitament reasons to fire, so they fire 8 of us at the same time and said it was d/t " restructuring"

What do the other nurses do? How do they get their charting done on-time? Are you just doing more work then the others, such as answering the call lights when the CNA's should be doing that? Make time to do the charting.

The moral of the story is, make sure you do not clock out and then chart or they will fire you.

Good luck

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Blackcat, based on the number of posts from you re:your job, I gather your current job is a hot mess. I don't normally recommend this, but maybe you need to look elsewhere? There are good LTC facilities. I suggest homes that are church based or government ran. They seem to have a better working environment than private, for profit homes.

As for the write up, just take it in stride. It's just a piece of paper. Charting is more important.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Agree with Brandon - it is probably time for a change. This place does not seem to be a good fit for you.

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At the mandatory nurses meeting yesterday, we were told that only 3 write-ups for overtime are allowed. After that, the nurse will be terminated. They said no excuses would be accepted and that we would be terminated for "Poor time management skills."

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Specializes in Oncology.

More like "poor staffing and management skills" Yikes. I refuse to work off the clock and I would call your labor board about this crap.

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I had to work over for the last 2 shifts I worked. The reason is that very near to end of my shift, right before I give report an incident occurs, such as a skin tear or resident behavior. What am I supposed to do? I am damned if I do or dont. No overtime but I have to chart on things like this and follow up on the issues. This is so frustrating. I clocked out both times and then went back to chart. I had a very busy day once last week, with a new admit that caused me 30 minutes of overtime and I still did not get everything done correctly that day and found I made a mistake because I was so rushed.

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Wow, LTC. I remember those days. Taking care of up to 40 people on a hall all alone with one aid, working 90 hrs a week because nurses quitting or getting fired constantly, pain pill seekers, and just general running around like a chicken which it's head cut off. I suggest that you try home health nursing, urgent care, or maybe even a group home setting for a slower pace and peace of mind.

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I had to work over for the last 2 shifts I worked. The reason is that very near to end of my shift right before I give report an incident occurs, such as a skin tear or resident behavior. What am I supposed to do? I am damned if I do or dont. No overtime but I have to chart on things like this and follow up on the issues. This is so frustrating. I clocked out both times and then went back to chart. I had a very busy day once last week, with a new admit that caused me 30 minutes of overtime and I still did not get everything done correctly that day and found I made a mistake because I was so rushed.[/quote']

You might get in legal trouble for working off the clock.

I wouldn't work off the clock.

I would stay on and write a note explaining the situation and why you had to stay late.

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More like "poor staffing and management skills" Yikes. I refuse to work off the clock and I would call your labor board about this crap.

Amen.

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I had to work over for the last 2 shifts I worked. The reason is that very near to end of my shift, right before I give report an incident occurs, such as a skin tear or resident behavior. What am I supposed to do? I am damned if I do or dont. No overtime but I have to chart on things like this and follow up on the issues. This is so frustrating. I clocked out both times and then went back to chart. I had a very busy day once last week, with a new admit that caused me 30 minutes of overtime and I still did not get everything done correctly that day and found I made a mistake because I was so rushed.

Next time this happens, do what you can, then you give report and let the on-coming nurse take over, state you would love to continue to finish what was started, but can't d/t overtime. If she complains bring it up to management. Also state she will have to chart on her patient interventions.

We had some CNA's report skin tears or other incidents just before we clocked out. No good timing, bring this up in meetings.

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