The thread in the nursing student forum about people who are always late got me thinking.
I am chronically early for everything. If I'm not 10 minutes early for an appointment, work, whatever, then I start to get anxiety. So I have a hard time relating to those who are temporally challenged. And I know that there are people who are ALWAYS late. I work with half a dozen providers, and one or two are like me (always there 15 minutes before start time), a couple get there right at start time, and there are 2 or 3 who are ALWAYS 10-20 minutes late for their first appointment of the session (and it drives me farking nuts, because the chronic late ones are my favorite providers and they ask me to go to lunch with them, and if I accept, then *I* will be late for my first appointment of the afternoon session, which is exactly what happened yesterday).
I know that sometimes it's just poor (or lack of) planning. But I've come to suspect that for some people, it's just part of their innate character, and that's what I want to try to understand better, so that I can better work with these people (and not show my intense annoyance). I really do think that sometimes, it's just beyond their control.
So for those of you who are temporally challenged, or love someone who is, help me understand what happens in their brains that make them this way, so I can be a more understanding coworker/supervisor.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
The core reason may be different for everyone. But the common factor is the lack of respect for other people's time.
I just really don't believe this. And this is as a person who is chronically EARLY for EVERYTHING. I do not believe every person who is chronically late is because they don't respect others or their time.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I appreciate diversity in people, but being consistently late still affects coworkers and patients alike in most settings. It is inherent on all of us to behave professionally and make every attempt to be on time. Or, one can find another job where being late is not a problem for anyone else.
I appreciate diversity in people, but being consistently late still affects coworkers and patients alike in most settings. It is inherent on all of us to behave professionally and make every attempt to be on time. Or, one can find another job where being late is not a problem for anyone else.
I don't understand your purpose on this thread, which is about finding out WHY people are late. It has already been said that chronic tardiness affects others, no one is denying that.
Stop beating the horse, please. Or start your own vent thread.
(PS - Your words belie themselves. You "appreciate diversity in people" as long as they "find another job where being late is not a problem," which basically tells me that you only appreciate diversity when it is somewhere else.)
I don't understand your purpose on this thread, which is about finding out WHY people are late. It has already been said that chronic tardiness affects others, no one is denying that.
Stop beating the horse, please. Or start your own vent thread.
(PS - Your words belie themselves. You "appreciate diversity in people" as long as they "find another job where being late is not a problem," which basically tells me that you only appreciate diversity when it is somewhere else.)
Yes! Please.
Some of us came to answer the OP's question and we are willing to share how our brains work. We're not willing to be "put in our place" or be shamed into compliance. If that worked for me, I would have had a much easier life.
I am very professional and yet, have an issue with time. Everyone I've worked with has had no problem adjusting to that just like I've had no problem adjusting to co-workers with less clinical skills. We work together and as a team get results.
Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
What kind of position can one have where they can come and go as they please and have no issues with co-workers or customers?Maybe CEO 's can but anyone who is part of a TEAM needs to make adjustments......The entire team should not accommodate one chronically tardy person.If it is truly ADD/ADHD medications and/or behavior modifications are on the care plan....Forget to pay you rent or car payment on time? There will be consequences....
What kind of position can one have where they can come and go as they please and have no issues with co-workers or customers?Maybe CEO 's can but anyone who is part of a TEAM needs to make adjustments......The entire team should not accommodate one chronically tardy person.If it is truly ADD/ADHD medications and/or behavior modifications are on the care plan....Forget to pay you rent or car payment on time? There will be consequences....
Maybe I missed a post but I don't think anyone said anything about coming and going as they please. We're talking about being late by 5 minutes or so for a shift. Maybe I'm just lucky, but have never had an issue (besides my own internal anxiety, and let me tell you, that's punishment enough!). Maybe it's because people would rather allow me that 5 minute grace period instead of losing me as I am usually one of the best nurses they've ever had. Not my words, my managers and co-workers.
Not everyone has to fit the cookie mold. Diversity makes for growth.
Sent from my iPhone -- blame all errors on spellcheck
Out of all the many reasons I have for constantly running behind, respect for others has NEVER been part of the equation. What some people don't understand is that for some of us, (mostly those of us with ADHD, yes) being late is NOT a choice. We're not choosing to be late or to say "oh well, they'll wait". Most of the time we're even choosing to leave early, it just doesn't happen. It's not intentional, it's not something we're proud of, it's just something we struggle with on a daily basis.
I've always been late to everything growing up. I once missed the bus to choir trip so I had to drive myself halfway across the state. I had a class once got a 98% but my teacher dropped my grade 10% for having two tardies. I almost got court in highschool for having 50+ tardies! I can't even explain why I can wake up at 5 and still be late to a 10oclock class. Its just like a part of who I am ugh. I don't know why but I guess I just don't see time the way other people do? Like most people would see they have to leave in 10 mins and they would run out the door. I see at as that gives me ten minutes to make eggs and brush my teeth etc.. Its really quite frusterating honestly I've been really working on it. But its just part of who I am idk.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I am answering other posters. Please ignore if my posts bother you. I am not just willing to just accept people being consistently late, blaming it on a host of factors, when it affects others and can be controlled.
I said it before; I had my own issues, growing up--- and do now. I struggle with ADHD and have to work daily to keep things under control. I worked on my problems and I am consistently on time and reliable, due to behavior changes that made it possible. I did not excuse my behavior; I changed it. If I am the one waiting on your (chronically late self) for whatever reason, I am going to be annoyed and it will affect my day. I have responsibilities after work that rely on my getting out on time to take care of them. I really don't care what the issue is, be on time, or find another job, perhaps.
Have a good day and again, feel free to ignore me if need be.
I don't understand your purpose on this thread, which is about finding out WHY people are late. It has already been said that chronic tardiness affects others, no one is denying that.
Stop beating the horse, please. Or start your own vent thread.
(PS - Your words belie themselves. You "appreciate diversity in people" as long as they "find another job where being late is not a problem," which basically tells me that you only appreciate diversity when it is somewhere else.)
If you have ADHD, please get your symptoms under control before you take a staff nurse position. No one enjoys having to wait for you to show up, the endless chatter, or having to bail you out when you can not focus to complete your tasks.
klone, MSN, RN
14,857 Posts
I just really don't believe this. And this is as a person who is chronically EARLY for EVERYTHING. I do not believe every person who is chronically late is because they don't respect others or their time.