Late arriving Nurses

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  1. late arriving nurses

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What are some the thought's on Nurse's who always tend to come Late 10 to 15 minutes.How do feel about when you had already worked 12 hour shift...now another 15 min? :banghead:

Ah...I see. The life of a "60 year old widowed" snot is less important, less valuable than someone with a husband, toddlers, church obligations, and school." I was never married, but I don't have kids, and I had to put up with the attitude of "My life is more valuable than yours because I have a husband and kids." Well, as Suzanne Sugarbaker would say, "Big woo!"

I agree with Wade. If you are showing up right on the dot, yes, technically you are on time, but then the off-going shift has to wait for you to put your stuff in your locker, get your papers, get your drink, then get into report.

If the off-going shift has to wait for you, then yes, you're late.

Someday you may be that 60 year old widowed snot, FWIW.

In hindsight the comment was rude but this represents most of the nurses I currently work with. What I should have said is that I am too busy to come to work early. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but someone with few/no obligations outside of work tends to not get it. They just can't understand what the big deal is if you come in 20-30 minutes early. These are the same women who come early, and interrupt my morning wrap up routine talking about the most mundane things. They then proceed to drag out report an extra 15 minutes interjecting stories about past patients, providers who are long gone, dead hubbies, and who shot JR. Work is the center of their life. I go to work to afford my life. And I don't drink coffee or have a locker. I come in with a pen and notebook ready to roll. I have 12 hours to get a beverage. And yes I hope to be a 60 year old snotty COB one day.

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As a stand alone post I am apologizing to anyone offended by my 60 year old snot comment. It was rude. Sorry

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Specializes in ICU.

Chronic tardiness would not be tolerated at my facility; in fact, it would cost one their annual raise.

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

Ward overview starts on time. You better be there and ready. Fluffing around putting your lunch away, filling your water bottle is not cool. That is why you arrive 10 prior to shift commencing so you are ready for start time.

Ward overview is done by the off going charge to the on coming team. Coming in late is noticed, without a phone call is not tolerated. A conversation with the charge, no improvement, conversation with the NUM. Still no improvement another conversation. All new staters are told, none of my team enjoy the disruption of the chronically tardy.

We had one nurse, single, no dependents, chronically tardy who lived 10 min away from work. I was on an admin day so was not expected to start at 7. I was walking in at 7.15 on the ground floor, there she was texting and meandering along the walkway. The rare time I am late, fire on th freeway, bridge closed I am power walking to work from the car park.

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What I should have said is that I am too busy to come to work early. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but someone with few/no obligations outside of work tends to not get it

But how do you know that the 60 year old widow has few/no obligations? That's like the day someone told me I could take their holiday call because I'm single and don't have a family. Just because someone is widowed (or single for that matter) doesn't mean they don't obligations. Maybe they have grandchildren they want to spend time with or maybe they volunteer at their church/community center. Or maybe, they just want to show up to work on time. It's not you place to decide how busy someone is.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
You are exceptionally good at rationalizing. Too bad you're too exceptional to follow a simple policy intended for everyone.

If the shift start is 7AM what is the issue of she's clocked in and ready to go at 6:51?

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Specializes in critical care.
I remember many years ago I would frequently fill in on nights. Not only did day shift straggle in late (we're talking 15-20 minutes late), they expected me to have a pot of coffee on for them and would have major attitude if I didn't make it.

That pot of coffee would be decaf every time if they pulled that crap with me.

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...and partly because they get down to business very quickly when they do arrive ...even if it's a few minutes late.

Heck, I remember some who arrived on time (or early) and clocked in, then took their time at getting to work. Arrive at 0630, shift begins at 0700, get to work at 0730.

I guess it cuts both ways. While coming in a few minutes late may seem "unfair", I tend to look for what is reasonable rather than what is "fair".

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Seriously, how many people do you really think will click "good" on your poll?

Thankfully, I work with wonderful coworkers who value others time. Otherwise, I'd be reporting them to HR about constant tardiness

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Specializes in critical care.

This blog post is a well-written letter to those who are chronically late. It words my thoughts better than I could. I married into a chronically late family and it makes me furious when I'm stuck waiting.

An Open Letter to Ye Who Is Always Late

Time is a very precious commodity in my life. I automatically assume it is for others as well. It seriously sucks getting a late start on a shift. It sucks going home late.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Unlike many other people, tardiness doesn't bother me or irk my nerves.

However, the oncoming nurse who straggles in 15 to 20 minutes late is only going to receive a 10-minute report from me. I'm leaving on time regardless of their protests for a lengthier report. They needed to arrive on time if they wanted a full report.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Each shift where I worked always had a fresh pot of coffee for the oncoming shift. Sometimes it was the nursing supervisor and sometimes the CNA and other times the nurse. Small town rural hospital.

I worked a 0245 to 1515 shift for 9 years. I was always at work 15 minutes early. To put away my stuff, to get that cup of coffee, to write down the names of the patients and room numbers. I was bright-eyed and bushy tailed for report. :nurse:

But to arrive at 0245 because that is when my shift technically starts . . . . .? That's not polite. Unless you are ready for report; no excuses.

The thing about the coffee was it was never reciprocated; they were always in a mad rush to get out.

I remember one time at another job, one of the docs asked me to make coffee. I gave her a long look, then said, "Are you asking me to make coffee because I'm a nurse, or are you asking me from one friend to another?" She heaved a big sigh then said, "I would make coffee for you if you asked me." (Yeah right, like that would have ever happened.) She was a psychiatrist; I got a kick out of making her scramble for an answer.

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