Nurses showing up late for work.

[justmanda]

This morning, after a twelve hour shift, I found out that my relief was just getting out of bed and wouldn't be at work until 9am. I was expected to stay, without complaint, until my relief arrived. When I dared to mention that my young children were going to be two hours late for school if I stayed, the manager of the floor called me a "whiner".

I don't mind staying a little late every now and then, but this frequently happens and the powers that be actually seem surprised and irritated when nurses have other responsibilities they have to tend to. The manager finally took report from me at 8am, seething the entire time. I don't blame her for the person not showing up. It wasn't her fault, and I thanked her for taking report. Her attitude though, made me furious! Just a rant....ahhh. I feel much better now.

[Dolce, RN]

I have been guilt-tripped into staying many-a-time. I think the fact that I don't have kids makes people think I don't have a life or other responsibilities. There is no good reason for forcing someone to stay after their shift against their will. Your NM should be ashamed of herself for making you feel like you had to stay. It is not your fault that she cannot effectively manage chronically late employees.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

It's rude to be late to any job where someone is waiting for you to relieve them. In my last career, it was a 24/7 business, and when I worked the night shift, the day shift relief came in 5 minutes late every single morning. Rude, rude, rude.

If it's a once in a while thing, I say roll with the punches. Stuff happens, and some day you might be that person running late. But regular tardiness....no.

[Dolce, RN]

If it's a once in a while thing, I say roll with the punches. Stuff happens, and some day you might be that person running late. But regular tardiness....no.

I agree. There are somethings that just can't be prevented--like a sick child, or a car accident, or a flat tire. However, I feel disrespected when my coworkers show up late every day. It means we have to wait to start report, wait to give report, wait to transfer a patient. It is one thing if a person has an office job but in this profession I think punctuality is a must!

[ilstu99]

Tardiness is a huge pet peeve of mine. I feel like..."How dare you treat your coworkers like your time is more important than everyone else's time?" Honestly, I find it to be exceptionally selfish. Sure....I understand 10-15 minutes once in a blue moon, because you forgot that you needed to get gas, or because your dog took off across the neighborhood. Stuff happens that would set back even the best prepared person. But the people who are late all the time? Meh. That tells me it's a choice they make, not an accident.

*whew* Semi-related vent over.

I'm sorry your boss was rude. There's really no reason for that. Part of the added responsibility and pay of a supervisor includes taking a patient assignment once in a while to cover for someone. She should have asked you if you could stay, and accepted that answer with professionalism.

[psalm, RN]

How about the staff who come in "on time" but get their coffee/tea, visit with others, waste time while looking thru the Kardex (holding onto it so the aide can't use it, but not getting her cheat sheet ready with Kardex info, too busy talking)? You STILL have to wait for her/him...

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

How about the staff who come in "on time" but get their coffee/tea, visit with others, waste time while looking thru the Kardex (holding onto it so the aide can't use it, but not getting her cheat sheet ready with Kardex info, too busy talking)? You STILL have to wait for her/him...

I had one nurse I dreaded relieving because she made a point of jerking people around for a good 15 minutes.

[MA Nurse]

This morning, after a twelve hour shift, I found out that my relief was just getting out of bed and wouldn't be at work until 9am. I was expected to stay, without complaint, until my relief arrived. When I dared to mention that my young children were going to be two hours late for school if I stayed, the manager of the floor called me a "whiner".

I don't mind staying a little late every now and then, but this frequently happens and the powers that be actually seem surprised and irritated when nurses have other responsibilities they have to tend to. The manager finally took report from me at 8am, seething the entire time. I don't blame her for the person not showing up. It wasn't her fault, and I thanked her for taking report. Her attitude though, made me furious! Just a rant....ahhh. I feel much better now.

You should make sure you're getting OT for that! The management should grow up and take responsibility for staff not showing up. That nurse needs to be reprimanded...not you!

[mpccrn, BSN, RN]

i too am habitually late by 5 minutes. it's not that i don't get up early enough. i swear there is a time warp somewhere between my kitchen and the car port. it doesn't matter what time i leave......could be 15 minutes early, could be 5 minutes later than normal......i still get to work 5 minutes late. i go directly to the person i need to get report from and they still get out on time. they never leave late because of me. i tried all the tricks, setting the clock ahead etc.....i'm still 5 minutes late. i was born late, got to my wedding late, and will likely die late. i hate it and strive everyday to beat the time-space continuum:smokin:

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Okay...sometimes @##$$it happens and you are late. That is life. What kills me is that this nurse had other really serious obligations and you would think the team would pitch in and cover for that person who is going to be late. As a manager..you should be able to cover the floor in these type of emergencies.

Your manager was rude and out of line.....gee that builds a lot of respect and teamwork, huh?

Now....the folks who are habitually late....that is another thread :)

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

i too am habitually late by 5 minutes. it's not that i don't get up early enough. i swear there is a time warp somewhere between my kitchen and the car port. it doesn't matter what time i leave......could be 15 minutes early, could be 5 minutes later than normal......i still get to work 5 minutes late. i go directly to the person i need to get report from and they still get out on time. they never leave late because of me. i tried all the tricks, setting the clock ahead etc.....i'm still 5 minutes late. i was born late, got to my wedding late, and will likely die late. i hate it and strive everyday to beat the time-space continuum:smokin:

Hey, as long as you don't hang me up, mazel tov.

[psalm, RN]

i too am habitually late by 5 minutes. it's not that i don't get up early enough. i swear there is a time warp somewhere between my kitchen and the car port. it doesn't matter what time i leave......could be 15 minutes early, could be 5 minutes later than normal......i still get to work 5 minutes late. i go directly to the person i need to get report from and they still get out on time. they never leave late because of me. i tried all the tricks, setting the clock ahead etc.....i'm still 5 minutes late. i was born late, got to my wedding late, and will likely die late. i hate it and strive everyday to beat the time-space continuum:smokin:

...I know what you mean about "between my kitchen and the car...". I also have my car clock set 10 min fast and that helps.

[Scrubby]

I get very annoyed at people who are chronically late to work. It's not fair on your co-workers, if you arrive late then you should make the time up after your shift is supposed to end because why should you work less than everyone else? It's not rocket science if your always five minutes late get up ten minutes early. And if your not running on time then at least do the right thing and phone in and let people know your on your way.