Nroh

Yes it's a private facility.

I actually discussed this with her in our last nurses meeting and she said no you HAVE to clock out and what she used to do when she was on the floor many moons ago blah blah blah. I just kept quiet and posted this question bc I knew I was right. I most definitely will present it to her and the timekeeper. Thanks for the information.

Thanks so much and yes they are cheap and try to cut corners. I'm glad this is something I can take further to change this "abuse".

Thanks so much!!! I need to look into that while I'm looking for another job.

Thanks for the input!!!! I'm hoping I will find something soon!!

DON said I will not get paid bc clocking in before my break would put me in OT and OT is not approved.

I am currently looking lol. Thanks.

The DON is the one telling us this. The timekeeper as well...."it has to show that you clocked out for break whether you are still working or not bc if you don't you could sue us in a couple of years for not allowing you to clock out"...or "you have to clock out bc overtime is not approved"....I just want to know if it's legal for the sake of future nurses and the clients' well being. Thanks for your input.

No we don't have anything like that in place. I'm dealing with the situation now until I find a new job but I still wouldn't feel "ok" with that bc like someone else said, could a family member sue bc I "abandoned" my clients bc I took a break without another nurse being on duty if something tragic happened? Would my facility have my back since they only want me to clock out for legal reasons on their part? Or what if something happens on opposite ends of the hall? I can't be two places at one time. I just wondered if that was something that would hold up in court or in front of the board if i presented it to them.

You are right and I have thought of those possibilities. I am currently looking for another job. I don't want to jeopardize my license.

Thanks for that information. I am looking for another job. It is a great job when the other nurse isn't off or when there are 3 nurses hired on night shift bc there would always be two of us there. And it's only 15 minutes from home. I don't want to jeopardize my license though.

It's an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded. Definitely not safe, but does that make it illegal? Would I have a case if I presented it to the board or a lawyer?

There are direct care staff (they aren't certified) and the one nurse if the other nurse is off. That's the thing. They want me to clock out for lunch. Technically I'm off of the clock. But I can't leave to get lunch, go to my car if I wanted to, etc. Kind of like I'm off the clock as far as the time keeping system goes so it won't look like they aren't giving me a break but I still have to be there working bc I'm the only nurse there bc there can't not (double negative) be a nurse on the floor. And of course if something was to happen, I would take care of my clients, even tho I'd be technically clocked out for lunch. I was just wondering if it was "legal".

I have a question. Is there a cap or legal standard in Mississippi on how many clients RNs are responsible for working in an intermediate care facility for the intellectually disabled (11p-7a)? And is it legal for me to clock out for break, and still be responsible for the floor at such a facility? Does the facility, my title, or shift matter? Asking bc there are 132 patients that I am responsible for, being that we are short a nurse on the 11-7 shift. There is another nurse (an LPN, we have the same duties) but when she's off I have to work by myself and when I'm off she has to work by herself. We were told that we still needed to clock out for break on the days that we work by ourselves but we would still be responsible for the floor if something happened. Is that ok? Has anyone dealt with this?