Overworked and Underpaid

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Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

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How many times has it happened to you? You work hard all shift trying to keep up with things. Your shift is just about ready to end when you get an admission or something else happens to ruin your plans to get out on time. And then.....much to you dismay, it is your fault that you had to work over. Share some of your experiences when your shift got turned upside down.

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Just had this happen to me. Admission one hour and 10 minutes before shift ended - means my admission. Was there an hour and half afterwards!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
Just had this happen to me. Admission one hour and 10 minutes before shift ended - means my admission. Was there an hour and half afterwards!

This is not fair or appropriate. Nursing is a 24/7 job, and I would never stay over to get an admission settled and paperwork done. I would eyeball the pt, make sure they are stable, and pass it on to the next shift

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Exactly. I got into an argument with a male nurse over this very thing. I worked days and he evenings so I had to hand over report to him. He had the NERVE to come onto the unit (I saw him) and then not appear for almost an hour!! I went in search of him and he was socially chatting to someone!! I just about came undone!

Then because I was still responsible for the patients as I had not handed over the keys or report to him I had patients coming up for narcotics WAY after my shift was SUPPOSED to end!! While he continued laughing and talking to a co-worker. I had some things i could not get to on my shift and in report I told him this. He INSISTED I stay and finish it all up. he told me I have to finish my shifts work and then ended by saying: "I am just saying." I responded and said: "And I"M just saying that nursing in 24/7 where the one does not finish the other finishes."

He was completely ticked off at me, but so was I at him!

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A shift never ending? That's definitely true when the patient practically comes home with you. This happened years ago and although I can laugh about it now it wasn't funny back then. I ended my shift, handed over my patients and, for reasons beyond me, a patient liked me so much that they decided to sneak out of the hospital and come home with me. I lived close enough to the hospital that I normally walked to and from work. Imagine my surprise when I get on the elevator to go to my apartment when someone calls, "hold the elevator please," and I end up seeing one of the patients I spent my day with. I ended up having to "ethically" walk him back to the hospital even though I wanted to tell him to read the sign on my forehead that says "off duty."

Moral of the story? Always leave the hospital backwards and never live close enough to walk to work.

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That's just scary! At least he went back with you...though I'm wondering if anyone realized he was "missing'?

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