Okay, so this isn't nursing related necessarily, but I am in serious need of advice from those experienced workers.
I am in my third week orienting as a graduate nurse. This morning, I was looking at my paycheck and my timecard, trying to figure out how they were dividing my hours and my pay. I decided to print up my timecard for this week so far, and to my surprise, my swipe out times are NOT the times that I swiped out during the past three days I have worked. I am positive that I swiped out at a time that would create 15 minutes of overtime on each of those days (1940-1945). I even wrote it down on our exceptions sheet, which is faxed down to HR each morning. My timecard is now displaying that I conveniently clocked out 1 minute before the time at which overtime is generated (1936). As you can imagine, I am extremely irritated today, especially because my NM asked me THIS morning what time I was at work until last night.
I suspect that modifications are being made to my timecard to prevent the generation of overtime. In our hospital, management has the ability to make alterations to our timecards. It is making me wonder if I was short-changed previously during my time working as a tech when I stayed late to help or finish. (Like since I didn't catch on then, I wouldn't catch on now, etc.) I know we are paid for overtime because in my past 2 years of working there, plus at my GN orientation, we were told we ARE paid for OT and that we just have to write it down. I believe I may have neglected to write down my time for one day, which may be a lost cause, but the other 2 days I am positive! I don't work for free, and I know she wouldn't work for free. I am a GN and am learning constantly throughout the day and so I am not always able to finish on time. I don't care if the unit is over the budget - that's not my problem. My concern is to learn how to be a good nurse and to grasp the concept of time management now so that when I am off orientation I will be able to finish on time. I may be young, but I'm not stupid, and I will not continue to accept this.
Does anyone have any advice on how I can approach this with my NM? It presents itself as being a touchy subject, but messing with anyone's money/pay is absolutely wrong. Help me. Please.
By all means, talk to your manager. Ask her to help you because you are confused. Do not accuse but she needs to know that you are aware that your card was somehow changed and that you are aware and watching.
Be civil and courteous, try to have written proof of when you actually clocked out and give her a chance to explain but do let her know that you need to be paid for what you worked.
Help me. Please. 
Vito Andolini
1,451 Posts
By all means, talk to your manager. Ask her to help you because you are confused. Do not accuse but she needs to know that you are aware that your card was somehow changed and that you are aware and watching.
Be civil and courteous, try to have written proof of when you actually clocked out and give her a chance to explain but do let her know that you need to be paid for what you worked.