Getting tired of the "just a tech" tag!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hello everyone, my name is Brandon and I've been a PCT-II for about 6 months now at a medium sized hospital in the Dallas area. It is starting to get on my nerves how the RN's have this bad attitude towards the techs. They dont even really know us by our name, but call us "the tech". If I am talking to someone they will jut come up and interrupt me. They will also call me to help them pull up a patient in the room, but have me wait while they do a dressing change for 10 minutes before we pull them up!! I feel like I have been doing a very good job and I am in my second year of nursing school. I am a big help to the nurses and the patients seem to always like me. I have thought about bringing this "stereotype" to the Director of Nursing's attention, but I feel like it will do little good. I know there are some bad techs who may have spoiled it for all of us that work at this hospital. I am thankful for the skills that I have learned because I know they will be a huge help when I am an RN. At our hospital, the color of our scrubs are color coordinated. Who do I go to with this problem, or is this something I just need to get over? Do I just need to put my foot down and let them know that I will not be disrespected? Does anyone else feel the same way? Thanks

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I'm sorry you are being treated with disrespect.

I would just suck it up, frankly. The furthest I would go is to say, "My name is Brandon." Keep repeating it until it sticks.

And hang tough.

:)

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I would start chatting with the ones specifically who do this. I would bring up how one day in the near future you will be an RN and how you will show such appreciation for the Techs because you were once there ;) Maybe they'll get the hint. Stand tall...good luck. You know yourself deep down who you are and what your value is. Too bad the nurses have to be that way.

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it rolls down hill and way too many nurses had no "real" employment before becoming a nurse (they thought the world revolved around nurses, reality hasn't been so kind to them) and/or weren't a tech/cna before becoming a nurse (they have no real appreciation/respect for what you do).

with that said, you're there to do a job, not be called something you want to be called. the tech, isn't a dirty word or inappropriate. it's like calling someone "the nurse" or "the doctor", see not bad.

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You're right, It'sTheDude.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Very disconcerting to feel like the nameless cog in the wheel. I once worked for an allergist. For 3 years. He would tell people "go see the girl" to talk to me. I'm not kidding you-this man did not know my name. He only worked three half-days per week, but jeez!!

I don't think it will help much to complain about it, but I do know that nurses love- love- love a good tech, keep doing what you are doing- they will eventually notice you. The only thing worth mentioning is the one who makes you wait while she does the dressing change. 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there, can really add up and mess up your day. Best wishes!!

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.
Hello everyone, my name is Brandon and I've been a PCT-II for about 6 months now at a medium sized hospital in the Dallas area. It is starting to get on my nerves how the RN's have this bad attitude towards the techs. They dont even really know us by our name, but call us "the tech". If I am talking to someone they will jut come up and interrupt me. They will also call me to help them pull up a patient in the room, but have me wait while they do a dressing change for 10 minutes before we pull them up!! I feel like I have been doing a very good job and I am in my second year of nursing school. I am a big help to the nurses and the patients seem to always like me. I have thought about bringing this "stereotype" to the Director of Nursing's attention, but I feel like it will do little good. I know there are some bad techs who may have spoiled it for all of us that work at this hospital. I am thankful for the skills that I have learned because I know they will be a huge help when I am an RN. At our hospital, the color of our scrubs are color coordinated. Who do I go to with this problem, or is this something I just need to get over? Do I just need to put my foot down and let them know that I will not be disrespected? Does anyone else feel the same way? Thanks

If it bothers you then I would not take it, but just don't do it with a "chip on your shoulder." That almost never has a good outcome. The truth is we have nurses and cna's from all backgrounds. I've seen bad cna's and bad nurses, rude cna's and rude nurses. I would just let them know my name, minus an attitude and remember your experience when you become a nurse. That is what I did!!! In my experience, most nurses liked cna's that are going to be nurses. They showed me how to do stuff and would call me into a room if something interesting was going on. If there is down time, you can ask, unconfrontationally,.....

"why do the nurses always refer to the tech's as "tech" instead of by name?" "why do nurses call the techs to a room for assistance in pulling up a patent only to leave them standing there waiting while the nurse does a dressing change?" "I understand that nurses are very busy; however, cna's are very busy too with vital signs, toiletting patients, ambulating patients, feeding, bathing, etc." "Maybe I am just completely misreading the situation, but it seems like there isn't the proper respect given to the cna's for all they do."

It is worth a try.

I wish you all the best!!!

Regards,

jb

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.
it rolls down hill and way too many nurses had no "real" employment before becoming a nurse (they thought the world revolved around nurses, reality hasn't been so kind to them) and/or weren't a tech/cna before becoming a nurse (they have no real appreciation/respect for what you do).

with that said, you're there to do a job, not be called something you want to be called. the tech, isn't a dirty word or inappropriate. it's like calling someone "the nurse" or "the doctor", see not bad.

Actually, most nurses come to nursing in their 40s. Most are second career/changing careers.

And, it is the doctors that think "the world revolves around them." :lol2:

Really, everyone is very important and should be treated equally!!! From housekeeping to biomed, PT, OT, RT, etc. the hospital needs us all!!!

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