Orientation + OT

Just recently, I was informed by a co-worker that my manager had stated that an orientee (new hire) is not allowed to take OT pay. They need to arrive on time and leave on time, even if it means patient care isn't done. That means that the trainee RN leaves at 0730, regardless if report or patient care are not done.

Now, I usually do not leave or give report late unless the oncoming nurse arrives late. My patient care is done way before 0700. Two nights ago, we received report for an admission from ER at 0615. Hgb of 5.7 at 0145. No order for more PRBCs at that time. My orientee asked if the MD was informed of latest Hgb and the reporting RN said yes. Well, patient arrived at 0650. Lo and behold, an order for 2 units of PRBCs was ordered at 0630 stat. I told my orientee since it was a stat order, that was our priority. The next shift would do the admission. ER dropped the ball on that one, but that's beside the point. We finished up with report around 0800 after the first unit was started. My charge tells us to sign for OT, but the day shift nurse informs us about the OT and orientees ordeal.

I wanted to open this up for discussion. I'm focused more on teaching the new RN patient care priority. Do you think it is right that the orientee has to leave at 0730 tpo avoid OT and leave all patient care behind to the preceptor? My rationale is that it is not because once they are on their own, they won't be able to leave without finishing up what they need to do.
Anything to save a buck. In reality, because a manager looks at the business side of things, an orientee is already being paid along with another nurse--so that is 2 salaries as opposed to one. And that is a lot of money they are putting out. And that is the priority to them.If they say the orientee can not stay for OT, Ok, well, then they have to go home. This is a shared assignment, that you get left holding the bag. With that being said, was the blood ready to go at 0650? If not, then this would be something that could be reported off to the oncoming shift.They don't want to spend any more on salaries than they have to. Who cares about the patient, the bottom line is the goal.

I think you both should have left and the next shift should have picked things up.

Quote from jadelpnWith that being said, was the blood ready to go at 0650? If not, then this would be something that could be reported off to the oncoming shift.

Quote from turtle_RNBlood was ready at 0644.

You heard this from a co-worker, who knows how reliable she is. Whether or not orientees are supposed to work OT, yours did and as such, must be compensated appropriately. Her time sheet and yours should reflect the time you left and if the manager says anything, you explain what happened.

Quote from jadelpnThe only thing you could have done is to per-medicate if you needed to, check the blood with the oncoming nurse, do your first 15 min vitals check, insure that there was no reaction, and then you both go home.

Everywhere I've ever worked, you couldn't get overtime while you were on orientation. You were expected to leave when the shift was over. While on orientation, the orientee doesn't count as a "real" staff member for staffing purposes, so there is no reason to pay her/him for staying late to complete work since s/he isn't officially, administratively responsible for completing any work in the first place.

Quote from jadelpnThen perhaps the ER should have initiated the transfusion...... (I am just being fresh....)The only thing you could have done is to per-medicate if you needed to, check the blood with the oncoming nurse, do your first 15 min vitals check, insure that there was no reaction, and then you both go home.

Ours can stay to finish things with the preceptor, but they cannot pick up hours. I'd clarify this with management. If they aren't getting paid and have to click out, then that is what it is.

Quote from Here.I.StandI would have hung the blood as soon as it was checked, gotten VS, and then begun report promptly at 0700.

I send them home. If you thought it warranted both of you staying OT, then it goes without saying that you needed to stay over. Whether the orientee had to go off the clock or not. It's not only warranted if the both of you can stay.."if my orientee can't stay then the next shift or ER should have done it." That doesn't make sense.

Just my 2 cents. The ER gave you report at 0615 BEFORE the order for blood was placed. The order for blood was placed after that. The pt was probably already packed for transfer. Perhaps the blood wasn't even available at that point to transfuse. We only have so much time before bed assignment until pt leaves the room or the ER nurse will get into corrective action. One of the main purpose for the ER is continuous thru-put. Without that, the whole hospital gets backed up - which means the ER sees less patients - admits less patients - that means less money for the hospital AND administration HATES that. The ER staff gets into hot water with administration if we don't move patients quickly.Please don't think the ER "dropped the ball" - if anything administration dropped the ball.Back to topic, yes, send the orientee home at the given time. That or risk of getting corrective action for disobedience. Good luck, wish you the best.Quote from turtle_RNJust recently, I was informed by a co-worker that my manager had stated that an orientee (new hire) is not allowed to take OT pay. They need to arrive on time and leave on time, even if it means patient care isn't done. That means that the trainee RN leaves at 0730, regardless if report or patient care are not done. Now, I usually do not leave or give report late unless the oncoming nurse arrives late. My patient care is done way before 0700. Two nights ago, we received report for an admission from ER at 0615. Hgb of 5.7 at 0145. No order for more PRBCs at that time. My orientee asked if the MD was informed of latest Hgb and the reporting RN said yes. Well, patient arrived at 0650. Lo and behold, an order for 2 units of PRBCs was ordered at 0630 stat. I told my orientee since it was a stat order, that was our priority. The next shift would do the admission. ER dropped the ball on that one, but that's beside the point. We finished up with report around 0800 after the first unit was started. My charge tells us to sign for OT, but the day shift nurse informs us about the OT and orientees ordeal. I wanted to open this up for discussion. I'm focused more on teaching the new RN patient care priority. Do you think it is right that the orientee has to leave at 0730 tpo avoid OT and leave all patient care behind to the preceptor? My rationale is that it is not because once they are on their own, they won't be able to leave without finishing up what they need to do.