Last Shift Outstays their Welcome!

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I think this is probably a real pet peeve of mine, but we now have two nurses from the previous shift who will stay about three hours into mine "to chart".

I understand that it's very difficult to get a lot of the things we need to do done but these people can really pass a lot of the stuff on to me and then leave. One is the unit manager, and therefore my unit manager so it's a bit difficult to say anything to them.

There is also only two seats out at the nurses station where I really need to be at night to hear everything but they sit there. I have seen them reading newspapers, they both did the same dressing on the same patient last night, one at 11pm and the other at 12:30am because the first one did not measure the wound. The thing is, I could have done it and measured it myself. When my charge nurse brought in chips and dip and apple cider for New Year, they started on it without even asking whose food it was. If I need a chart one of them always has it.

They have been doing this for about two to three months. At first I thought administration would cotton on to their overtime and say something. How would you go about dealing with this diplomatically?

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

I would definitely talk to my supervisor about this. I would just approach the situation as one of concern I suppose. Maybe ask if the day shift is understaffed and if there is anything you can do to help them out so they don't have to stay 2-3 hours past their end of shift.

What kind of facility are you at?

Do you think they are milking the clock?

Maybe they are afraid to go home?

Sounds pretty odd to me. I have spent one day at work until 10 am after a 12 hour and that was because I absolutely had to, and had a very rough night.

Otherwise just flat out ask them, is there anything I can do at night that might make it easier for you guys to get out of here on time? Maybe they really just need help?

Got me.

Tait

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Sorry, I didn't explain everything.

I have asked them if there's anything they want to pass on for me to do. They always decline the offer. I have jovially said "Don't you two have homes to go to?" One thing - they are friends. And I suspect they're milking the clock. The unit manager is meticulous and slow at everything. The newer nurse, only been there a couple of months was hired on the others recommendation. I know when it's time for me to go I will sit in the med room or somewhere where I'm out of the next shifts way, do only what I have to and leave as soon as possible.

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Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.

Well sounds like you have tried to ascertain the situation at ground zero, now it sounds like it is time to bring it up to the supervisor. :\ Sucks but man I would be miffed (gentle word) if they were all over my space at night.

*territorial* grrrr

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I worked with a nurse who worked 8 hour day/evening shifts. EVERY time she worked, she passed many of her meds and every IV restart, dressing change, weight, calls, etc., to the next shift. She never charted until her shift was over, and would spend 4-5 hours (I kid you not) after the end of her shift charting on 4-6 patients. Even though she did so out of the way, it still irritated the crap out of me because I often wondered if she wasn't giving meds or doing any tasks during her shift and she wasn't charting, then what the hell WAS she doing for 8 hours??? I worked with her on occasion; she would chase her tail the entire shift and always appeared to be the busiest nurse working--- but she never actually did anything.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I've seen this happen more than once and it seemed to be that they we're milking the clock. Once it was made known that there would be no OT for charting after the end of the shift unless approved beforehand, well, they got out on time.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
I think this is probably a real pet peeve of mine, but we now have two nurses from the previous shift who will stay about three hours into mine "to chart"....There is also only two seats out at the nurses station where I really need to be at night to hear everything but they sit there... If I need a chart one of them always has it...They have been doing this for about two to three months. At first I thought administration would cotton on to their overtime and say something. How would you go about dealing with this diplomatically?

I would start by being polite " Do you mind moving so I can get started? Would you mind giving me that chart now,I need it?" " I really need to sit there to do -blah blah blah" etc...I don't recommend you shoot yourself in the foot since one of the culprits is your unit manager...You have to learn assertiveness-It is not easy if you are used to being passive.Good Luck

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When I worked in LTC, I used to HATE coming in when certain people had been there before me.

Specifically, when the nurses area looked like a cyclone hit it - charts all over the place, the evening snacks STILL sitting on the counter.

This particular nurse was brand new, and would be underfoot for 2 to 3 hours. I got to talking to her, and she really didn't know how to chart - I gave her some tips on that, and some time management tips. I'm sure that with some experience, she got to be better at it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ED.

The poor new nurse in the situation is learning some terrible time management stuff. I would somehow find a way to tell her about 'this nurse you know' who always held off her charting til the end of the shift. One day the nurse got a phone call..a beloved family member had been urgently hospitalized and the new nurse was stuck at work for over an hour doing the charting before she could rush to the loved one's side....(yes I just made that all up lol but it might put a bee in her bonnet)

or find a way to talk alone to the new nurse alone (during report maybe) and tell her that you will do the bandage change. Don't ask her, tell her you will be doing it.

I would take the tactic that you can't teach an old dog new tricks (the manager) but you might just help out the newbie learn a better way of doing things.

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Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.

Over the holidays, my unit was closed and our few patients were moved to another unit, so our staffing was combined. The charge nurse from the other unit was cancelled at 2300, but stayed, charting, chit-chatting, and more charting... until 0610 the next morning, a full 7 hours after being cancelled (not at all uncommon for her). However, I didn't know until just last night that she does not clock out until she leaves... ever. Also, she stayed in the charge nurse's seat where everything is kept, and the night shift charge had to sit elsewhere. But, do you think she will lift a finger to help anyone out for anything? She is still passing meds an hour after she gives report (which itself takes almost an hour)! How ridiculous! And this is a BSN with loads of experience. Sorry, but it doesn't take THAT long to chart and get everything done. Even on my worst night, I've stayed a MAX of about 3 or 4 hours to catch up. After that, my brain is too fried to think anymore, let alone drive 40 miles home. :bugeyes:

As for your nurse manager, you'd think she was on salary... meaning she doesn't get paid whether she works 40 or 400 hours. I know our managers are, which is why they don't stay late unless absolutely necessary. Tough situation you have. I think that asking them if there is anything you can do is about all you can do. Also, if they leave the desk for any length of time, just shove their stuff over so you can sit down. When they come back, you could innocently say "Oh, I thought you had left. I needed something over here so I just sat down."

Maybe they will take the hint??? :idea:

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Specializes in critical care.

Agree with time management issues, every place has persons that chase their tale yet accomplish nothing! I also think that they are milking the clock. Once budget time comes, this will be evaluated and the nurses will be notified that they have to get out on time. It did at my facility.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

It's strange behavior. I worked with a nurse a long while back and turns out she was abused at home and didn't want to go.

Nonetheless these two are milking the system, three extra hours a shift can add up.

Good luck.

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