Working to the clock

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Would it really kill staff to hang around perhaps 5- 10 min after their shift to assist with an emergency?? A few weeks ago, a resident went sour approx. 40 min before the end of the shift- I assembled all the paper work, called family etc etc including calling the ambulance and then was getting calls from other floors which I needed to deal with. The resident was stable enough so I asked the nurse in that area ( I am the charge nurse for 4 areas) to please show the paramedics to the resident's room and she says to me - I can't stay I have a friend waiting for me in the parking lot- and that was it- she didn't stay and I had to run around like a nut watching all unionized staff leave right on the dot of 12 and ended up sending the poor soul out myself and leaving late- I don't care about myself leaving late- I hate coming on a shift and being handed a mess like that and even though the night staff was there by then they hadn't had report- Back when I first started nursing ( 20 years ago) if something came up you helped out, now staff watch the clock like they are in a marathon and start putting their coats on as the hands inch up to the final hour. If someone wants a tylenol at 1150 too bad they don't have time to stop and give it - it might take them past quitting time. I have even seen staff get up and walk away from charting ( I'll finish tomorrow) because their shift was over. They tell me they are not getting overtime so why should they stay?? I guess work ethics are not a good enough reason.:uhoh3:

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Specializes in MED/SURG STROKE UNIT, LTC SUPER., IMU.

At my place of work, many will stay to finish up the paperwork or help out in an emergency, but the "big boss" just wrote everyone up recently for staying on the clock to finish up. I hate the ramifications of this. Now if they don't get everything done in their 8 hrs, then too bad sooo sad for the incoming shift. It's a catch 22 either way.

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I guess those are the nurses that are there just for the money. :twocents:

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I don't have to deal with that yet (though I've had similar situations in other jobs...), but I'll do anything to not be like that. It amazes me the lack of work ethic that some people can have... it makes no sense to me. I don't know what it is, but it seems in general my generation takes so much for granted and feel so entitled. I hate that. That isn't to say it doesn't happen at all ages.

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I was going to start a thread about nurses not helping each other because of a similar situation. You said it all, no work ethics. It is all about the money, no overtime pay then I'm not going to help you. A co-worker, 40 minutes before the end of her shift, told me, that no since it would take her 20 minutes to change out of her scrubs she would only be able to help me for 20 minutes and that wouldn't be much help. This particular nurse has a masters in nursing and is an officer in the army reserve. A CNA I work with will clock out so she doesn't get asked about why were you on overtime, then come back to help out!!!! We tell her NOT TO DO THIS but her work ethic is too strong! Which one is the "professional!"

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I was going to start a thread about nurses not helping each other because of a similar situation. You said it all, no work ethics. It is all about the money, no overtime pay then I'm not going to help you. A co-worker, 40 minutes before the end of her shift, told me, that no since it would take her 20 minutes to change out of her scrubs she would only be able to help me for 20 minutes and that wouldn't be much help. This particular nurse has a masters in nursing and is an officer in the army reserve. A CNA I work with will clock out so she doesn't get asked about why were you on overtime, then come back to help out!!!! We tell her NOT TO DO THIS but her work ethic is too strong! Which one is the "professional!"

:yeah:to the CNA!

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Specializes in LTC.

I work 3-11 shift and I have not had a shift that ends at 11 yet. They don't pay us for staying over but I like to leave knowing I did everything that I had to do even if its 12, 12:30 am

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Specializes in ICU, Cardiac.

RE: the cna clocking out and coming back to work...

BEWARE, you have clocked out and are no longer on your employer's time. If that CNA was to get hurt assisting after she intentionally clocked out, she will be outside of workmen's comp.

DO NOT EVER clock out and return to work.

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I hate playing devil's advocate here, but what about the nurse who has a set time to go pick up her kids, or a second job to make to, or an elderly parent who needs to be cared for at home? Not everyone has an "all-american-apple-pie" support system... just my 2 cents...

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Yes we know the CNA won't get work comp or worse not be covered by the hospitals liability policy, very important but not what the topic is today. I know my co-workers personal lives well enough to know which one's have kids, second jobs, elderly parents etc. They have enough manners and ethics to at least say, "I will help as much as I can but I have to leave at 3:00 to pick up my daughter." Not have thier coat and purse on and be standing by the clock watching the minute hand! (Which I have seen.)

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I'm a clock watcher. I'll admit it, and I'm not ashamed of it. I am at work to make money. If I was there to help out, I'd be a volunteer.

That being said, if I'm there and someone needs help, I'll stay over, AS LONG AS I'm being paid. I've been taken advantage of many times over the years and I refuse to work for free. If management snarks at me for overtime, well, they won't have to worry about it for very long 'cause I'll either stop helping or start looking for another job. (And yes, I mean it, and have done it before.) I am not some masochistic martyr who loves to be management's whipping girl.

LOL! That sounds really snarky now that I'm reading it over, but it is truly how I feel.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I'll probably get flamed for this, but what the hey. I consider myself to have a good work ethic, but I don't work for free. If the employer wants to pay me for my time, I am glad to help out whenever I can within reason. If the employer chooses not to compensate me for any extra time, then I am not going to stay over. I don't care if I don't get overtime, but at least pay me my straight payrate or else I'll see ya tomorrow.

Of course, true emergencies are a different situation. I am not going to walk away on a emergency situation until all is calm, but again I expect to be paid for every minute I stay over.

I am on salary now, so my situation is different, but that is my 2 cents.

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