scolded for reading a book at work

[kismetRN]

My colleague is assigned in Ortho clinic on a daily basis. She is currently taking her Master degree and because there is upcoming exam next month - I occasionally been seeing her scanning her textbooks at work when there's no patient.

One morning though, our charge nurse spotted her reading and chewed her out, saying she's been hired TO WORK and not to do personal things such as reading. Took my colleagues's book then stormed out of the assessment room. There were witnesses and all were startled. I felt really bad hearing this. Wouldn't it be better if we spend our idle time reading than just chitchatting? Isn't it good that we are striving to be updated by reading and that it is part of our professional growth?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Unfortunetely, this is more the norm than not. I think your friend may find herself with a LOT of busy work waiting for her when she goes back to work.

It is a shame that it wasn't as if she was flipping through a magazine, but a text book though.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Just another example of how nurses are treated like assembly line workers.

[chare]

While it sounds as if the charge nurse could have done this in a more tactful manner, I have to agree with her intent; particularly as this, according to your post, is becoming a frequent behavior.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

What are you supposed to do during your down time?

[elkpark]

Yes, reading a textbook and studying is better than "chitchatting" in your spare time at work; however, the employer expects you to spend your free time at work looking for constructive, work-related stuff you could be doing (unless she was actually on a designated break). I've worked places where we could get away with reading on night shift when it was quiet, but have never worked anywhere where it was considered acceptable to be reading, textbook or otherwise, during the work day on day/evening shift.

I agree that the charge nurse could have addressed the situation more tactfully.

[kismetRN]

Yes, reading a textbook and studying is better than "chitchatting" in your spare time at work; however, the employer expects you to spend your free time at work looking for constructive, work-related stuff you could be doing (unless she was actually on a designated break).

I agree that the charge nurse could have addressed the situation more tactfully.

okay then..this gave me way to view this issue into another perspective. Thanks!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

The CN took her book away?? Ick. You can enforce workplace rules without treating your subordinates like children. That's not a lack of tact, that's disrespectful and infantilizing.

I understand the policy on not doing non work related things, but I do not like what this incident says about leadership at that clinic.

[kismetRN]

The CN took her book away?? Ick. You can enforce workplace rules without treating your subordinates like children. That's not a lack of tact, that's disrespectful and infantilizing.

exactly my friend's sentiment!

[Rhi007]

My colleague is assigned in Ortho clinic on a daily basis. She is currently taking her Master degree and because there is upcoming exam next month - I occasionally been seeing her scanning her textbooks at work when there's no patient.

One morning though, our charge nurse spotted her reading and chewed her out, saying she's been hired TO WORK and not to do personal things such as reading. Took my colleagues's book then stormed out of the assessment room. There were witnesses and all were startled. I felt really bad hearing this. Wouldn't it be better if we spend our idle time reading than just chitchatting? Isn't it good that we are striving to be updated by reading and that it is part of our professional growth?

I'm in two minds about this; on one hand you could spend idle time reading/studying etc but on the other hand if your a ward nurse why not do your charting in your idle time so it's done and you can leave on time?! Anyway what is this idle time you speak of....in ED we've never heard such a term!!! Lol

[kismetRN]

I'm in two minds about this; on one hand you could spend idle time reading/studying etc but on the other hand if your a ward nurse why not do your charting in your idle time so it's done and you can leave on time?! Anyway what is this idle time you speak of....in ED we've never heard such a term!!! Lol

b/c ours is a newly built 220 bed capacity hospital and still struggling to raise patient census with JCI on the way - we have alot of those idle times in OPD..frankly I am not used to doing almost nothing but since we are the pioneers here and this is my first job outside the country I'm just holding out. :)

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

This seems very silly to me, especially since it's a textbook. I used to learn Russian on night shift. I came off nights as a vampire with a very convincing accent. :)