would you work for free

Published

Specializes in LTC.

At my facility sometimes people get behind on there work due to addmissions, falls, and such. so when its time for shift change somethings might get passed on to the next nurse. I have heard some of the nurses say that that person should clock out and come back and finish their work. At my facility you can't have overtime unless it is preapproved. I rarely leave work for the next nurse because I save what I can do the next day for last. I personally would not clock out and come back to work. I have made the statement to other nurses that I don't work for free and they seemed shocked. I value my time and I think it is worth something. If I stay late at work I am taking time away from my family and not getting my household work done. I think I should be compensated for that. Am I wrong?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, you are not wrong and if anyone makes you feel evil for doing it, they are in the wrong. I agree with all your points that you make and on top of that, you must consider your liability. What if something happened and you were clocked out? You would not be protected. Also if you have Epic and you are using it off the clock, I hear that's a HIPAA violation. Don't work off the clock.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are not wrong! Nobody works for free! Plus the facility could be liable if they have someone working that is technically "off the clock."

Do the best you can with the tools and the time you have been given. If that is not possible then the problem is above your paygrade. You cannot worry about things that are out of your hands.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

If i knew I was goofing off...like, longer at a lunch, or chit chatting with a coworker and fell behind, I would clock out and finish. If i was balls to the wall slammed from the moment I got off the elevator in the morning until I left without so much as a bathroom break, no way in hell would I clock out and finish. But at that point, the nursing supervisor was already aware that I was behind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

AND, nursing is 24 hours. There may be days it is impossible to finish every task on time. So for others to say you should stay until you are, they just need to get over it. If someone consistantly leaves all their tubing, all their wound care, or enemas til clear for me, I would have a problem. If someone didn't get to it because of an isolated event, I would do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in floor to ICU.

Huge liability. Sounds like the nurses you work with need some education in that area. Stand your ground. Nursing is 24/7. Some things simply CAN wait for the next shift and the nurse getting report should understand that *poop* happens.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was told upon hire one time that I would be expected to clock out and finish unfinished business on my own time. What does one do? Leave a job when there are no other job offers in town, or in any of the nearby cities? I only left charting to be done after end of shift and hoped the oncoming nurse didn't need the particular chart I was using at the time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do not work off the clock. Not ever. If you get hurt you will not be covered by workers' comp. It could easily be construed as a HIPAA violation if you are looking at charts while you are off the clock.

No, no, no. Sometimes this is the only way you can prove that you are understaffed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Never work off the clock. Your employer could be liable for large fines from the state and feds (they want their payroll taxes). If you are off the clock and working, you should not be in the EMR or caring for patients or anything but getting ready to leave the floor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

besides the legal implications (and there some!) consider that if you are working free then you are protecting the bean counters from ever seeing the need for better systems or more staff. As long as the work gets done they do not see a need for change. Your fatique/stress is not part of the equation. Do not undermine your own job by working for free.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MSP, Informatics.

you give them 5 minutes...next time they want ten. then twenty. then an hour. You aren't doing anyone a favor except management. And there is a reason they passed the laws about mandatory overtime in nursing. It isn't safe. There is a cut off to what they deem a safe workload and a safe workday. Any hours off the clock do not add to the statistics.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I were in a situation where I was hourly and my employer informed me that I should clock out and continue working, I'd anonymously call the phone number on the labor laws poster that's hung in every work place for a reason, and say "Hey, my employer just informed me I should clock out and continue working, and if I don't, I'll probably lose my job." Most likely they would give advice and send a friendly reminder to the employer about labor laws.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion