A little ticked

[ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP]

I work as an aide, and today I was working the last half of second shift, 7-11pm. 11pm/midnight vitals and stocking are to be done by the oncoming (11p-7a) night shift. Now normally, I do vitals and stock to help the aide out, but today I was working the desk and a float pca came to work the floor. I didn't tell her to do the 11pm/midnight vitals because that is technically the responsibility of the oncoming aide. I did, however, stock to make it easier.

Night shift comes in and is ****** that vitals aren't done (not even bothering to thank me for doing her stocking) and tells me that I should have told the float aide to do the vitals, and that now is very late to start vitals (technically they are not due until midnight, and it was 11pm).

I'm a little ticked. In fact, more than a little ticked; I'm downright ******. I'm all for helping out others and am known for routinely doing night shift's stocking and vitals, but I do not think the oncoming aide(s) should come in expecting all their work to be done for them. If anything, that makes me think they are ungrateful. I don't come in at 7am expecting 7am/8am vitals to be done. In fact they are NEVER done (and they use the bs excuse that they don't want to wake the patient up. Hello! I have to wake patients up all the time to get vitals and stat labs. I don't have option NOT to get that stat blood draw or NOT get that needed BP, etc).

What would you do in my situation? I don't feel very comfortable confronting the aide, but I feel like maybe I should stop stocking and doing the oncoming shift's vitals, etc, because I feel like I'm being taken for granted.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

I would consider shrugging it off if it is a one time occurrence. If it is repeated, I would tell them something along the lines of that while you try to help them out, you understand it is the official duties of the 11 pm to 7 am aide.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

It is up to the float aide to do what they are supposed to on their shift.

I am not sure it is a great idea to get vitals that early to begin with, as if there's an issue with a patient (ie: a high BP for instance) that needs to be reported, it would be the oncoming nurse who one would need to report it to. Additionally, when the oncoming nurse does the shift assessment, vitals within the realm of time that this is being done is preferable, or as a nurse I would have to do them again at 12 if they are done at 10-1030--lots of changes.

You are only responsible for what needs to be done on your shift. You are not responsible for what needs to be done on the next shift. If you are slow and want to keep busy doing some stocking, by all means--however, it shouldn't be expected.

I would not say anything. I would do my job and only my job, and let the oncoming shift do theirs. Maybe at the next staff meeting a little discussion on each shift is responsible for their stuff--and not the next shift's stuff.

If vitals are to be done at midnight, then as a nurse that is when I would like that to happen--as close as possible. It is an important part of my assessment.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

It is up to the float aide to do what they are supposed to on their shift.

I am not sure it is a great idea to get vitals that early to begin with, as if there's an issue with a patient (ie: a high BP for instance) that needs to be reported, it would be the oncoming nurse who one would need to report it to. Additionally, when the oncoming nurse does the shift assessment, vitals within the realm of time that this is being done is preferable, or as a nurse I would have to do them again at 12 if they are done at 10-1030--lots of changes.

You are only responsible for what needs to be done on your shift. You are not responsible for what needs to be done on the next shift. If you are slow and want to keep busy doing some stocking, by all means--however, it shouldn't be expected.

I would not say anything. I would do my job and only my job, and let the oncoming shift do theirs. Maybe at the next staff meeting a little discussion on each shift is responsible for their stuff--and not the next shift's stuff.

If vitals are to be done at midnight, then as a nurse that is when I would like that to happen--as close as possible. It is an important part of my assessment.

I've frequently asked techs to take vitals when they are due, not before, especially not an hour or more. What if I have meds ordered at MN that require VS? I mean, if I'm going to have to take all my VS again, then you might as well not be responsible at all for it so I know it's one of my scheduled tasks to plan for. The idea of taking midnight vitals that early is a little ridiculous to be and sounds more like night shift trying to pawn off work on evening.

And you should absolutely tell nights that that reaction was totally inappropriate and uncalled for. Remind them nursing is a 24 hour job, and if they can't appreciate your help, then they can do their own work from now on.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Let them be angry ...let it go.

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

While shifts helping each other to deliver patient care is good. I find that when it becomes exppexted it is not alwYs in patient interest and yoh can be taken for granted. Keep patients safe clean comfortabke. Leave area tidy and finished expected shift duties. Speak to your shift leader.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Do you regularly delegate and assign tasks to other floats? I guess I'm just wondering why it was up to you and not the charge nurse, regarding who should be collecting vitals?

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I think it's fine to point out that those vitals are their responsibility. I don't like getting my midnight vitals before 11pm, and when I work without an aide I start getting my vital signs AT midnight usually.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Ideally there should be a system where the charge nurse gives the oncoming aid a report and summary of expectations, especially for a float aid. A responsibility checklist can also be useful.

[NOADLS]

I would do one of two things.

1) Tell them to tell management that you didn't do their job.

2) Apologize and offer to do something in their shift that is due mid-end of their shift which is not feasible for you to do next time around.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

The oncoming aid is much worse than "ungrateful" she is bullying.Bullying in an attempt to have her work done for her.

Quite sure this is not an isolated incident.

This is lateral violence..... and management needs to be made aware of it.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

If it has happened once--be ticked, let them be mad and let it go.

Second time, politely tell them that midnight VS are night shift's responsibility and you really should not get VS that far before their designated time.

If it still continues, go to the charge nurse and go on from there.