I've been taught in nursing school to be prepared for your assignment and that means coming into work an extra 30 mins prior to the start of your shift to look up your patients that were assigned. This way, when you start your shift, you have a basic understanding of your patients. When your shift starts, you are then able to ask the appropriate questions to the off-going nurse, do bedside handoffs, pick up where the last nurse left off, and begin your patient care.
I have been doing this for the past 7 years as a RN, but yesterday my manager came up to me and said looking up patients PRIOR to the start of your shift is a violation of labor laws and we are no longer allowed to do this. Looking up patients on the computer prior to clocking-in is considered "working" and is a violation.
Could anyone please shed some light on this for me? Thanks!
I'm shocked anyone wants to donate that kind of time to their employer. Even if I'm only looking up my patients, I'm getting paid for it.
Because that 30 minutes at home or driving is so precious to me....
Getting a good idea of your patients before an assessment is imperative. The practice of coming in early helps a nurse paint his/her routine for the rest of the shift. When I come on I am ready to rock and role with most vitals, assessments, meds and charting (and I write comprehensive notes and care plans) done within the first couple hours. Then I am ready to coast the rest of the night barring any admissions. It's too easy. Come 0530 when my colleagues are scrambling to get stuff done I can kick back because everything is charted and all meds were given as early as possible. Literally I have this down to a science now as do many of the night shift nurses. For some reason day shift hasn't caught on and they still come in at 0659 and are slow to receive report. The only reason I have to stay passed 0730 is because of THEM.
Coming in early sets the flow for how the night will go. If for some reason I am a bit late or just on time I have noticed my stress level a bit higher for the first half of my shift.
I don't come in early and I almost always leave on time. I'm proactive and get things done as quickly and efficiently as possible and don't scramble to get things finished.
When I was a student, I did as a student does, I came in to get info on my patients on my own time. When I started to work, I started to come in early for a different reason, decompression from the drive, nothing more, nothing less. Sometimes the drive to work can be so stressful that a few moments to unwind is very welcome.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I'm shocked anyone wants to donate that kind of time to their employer. Even if I'm only looking up my patients, I'm getting paid for it.
I'm scheduled 8-5, 40 hours a week. Thus, I can only be clocked in from. 8-5, or it pushes me into OT. Nevertheless I get to work at 7:30 every day. Not for my employer, but for ME. That extra 30 minutes before everyone else gets there allows me to buff my schedule, fill in any holes in the providers' schedules, and do what I need for ME, in order to have a smoothly running day. It's also just really calm and peaceful being there before everyone else.
I willingly donate that 30 minutes because it helps ME to have a smoother day. That's totally worth 30 minutes of my own time. Also, then I don't feel guilty if I occasionally leave for my lunch break at 11:30 instead of noon.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Esme12,
Do you have a reference that states there is no liability in looking at a chart prior to a start of a shift?
Thanks
What do you mean by no liability? Just like when students look at charts are they liable for what they read before they "accept" the assignment? Until you take report you have not "accepted" the patient...therefor you aren't liable...unless you actually answer a call bell or administer meds. I cannot give legal advice...just my opinion, while experienced... isn't' really an "expert" opinion. Just my thoughts from years of nursing and management.
Again I am not a lawyer...if the employee is doing this of their own free will...in essence volunteering their time...there is no obligation to pay for that time. You aren't paid for being on the premises...you are paid when you clock in. Now if the employer had the expectation for all staff to show up early and look at charts that is not allowed without being paid. It's very complicated.
You've been doing this off the clock? Big no-no for a million reasons, all labor law related. I'm really surprised that your hospital has allowed it to go on for so long actually
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
That is working. All work should be on the clock. This has been an issue, since nurses work 12 hr shifts with no overage. Yet, they need to make report, etc. They should work 12:30 hrs. 15 before, and 15 after. If it takes longer then that, then a 13 hr shift, with the extra 1 dealing with reports, looking up patient information, etc. Another words, ALL on the clock. No other business gets away with their workers working OFF the clock. Nursing should not either.
Of course other employees come in early to set up their work space of their own free will...the employer is in no obligation to pay them. It's volunteering your time. If the employee comes in early and cleans out their locker of because they feel like it, clean the fridge...the employer is under no obligation to pay them just because they are on the premises.
Like many laws it is up to some interpretation. It is under the employee's and employers "intent" and expectations.
Like I said I am no lawyer...just an experienced manger...from a Union facility.
As others have said it's a moot point the employer has decided to no longer allow the practice.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You've been doing this off the clock? Big no-no for a million reasons, all labor law related. I'm really surprised that your hospital has allowed it to go on for so long actually
Why are you pushing this? Your manager has told you to stop doing it. Clearly your facility has an issue with your practice and doesn't want you doing it. You're "on their radar" so to speak. I'd drop it and do your "research" AFTER you are punched in and being paid for your time.
Esme12,
Do you have a reference that states there is no liability in looking at a chart prior to a start of a shift?
Maybe it's just me, but working on YOUR time to fill holes in your providers schedule does not sound like something you would do for YOU. My employer would rather pay a little OT than get socked with fined and violation citations from the labor board.
I'm scheduled 8-5, 40 hours a week. Thus, I can only be clocked in from. 8-5, or it pushes me into OT. Nevertheless I get to work at 7:30 every day. Not for my employer, but for ME. That extra 30 minutes before everyone else gets there allows me to buff my schedule, fill in any holes in the providers' schedules, and do what I need for ME, in order to have a smoothly running day. It's also just really calm and peaceful being there before everyone else.
I willingly donate that 30 minutes because it helps ME to have a smoother day. That's totally worth 30 minutes of my own time. Also, then I don't feel guilty if I occasionally leave for my lunch break at 11:30 instead of noon.
Aurora77
861 Posts
I'm shocked anyone wants to donate that kind of time to their employer. Even if I'm only looking up my patients, I'm getting paid for it.