how to be a better team player when struggling with your own work?

Specialties Critical

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Team work is really important to me, and I can see that it is essential to ICU success.

I wish I could be a better team player, but I'm finding it really hard to keep on top of some of my assignments. I typically skip eating all together or have a late lunch around 4 pm. I also typically have to stay 1 to 2 hours late to chart (On a side note: I never put in for overtime when charting late...)...

So, I'm finding it hard to help out others when I am struggling. When my workload is lighter, I do try to help others out as much as I possibly can..... but these days are not that common...

My question is: How do you become a better team player when you are struggling to keep up with your own assignment?

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

What is your nurse to patient ratio?

Do you have an all RN staff and if not how many pts do the CNAs have?

Nurse to patient ratio is usually 1:2. We have 1 CNA for the floor -- approx. 14 beds.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

In my experience, ICU is not a "team player" environment in terms of routine assignments. Each nurse is expected to be able to handle her/his own work. There should be a charge nurse or team leader who is keeping an eye on things all the time - making sure that no one is overwhelmed & going down for the third time. He/she should also be making sure that everyone gets a meal break and leaves on time. PLEASE don't clock out and continue to chart.... this exposes your organization to liability because they are violating Federal labor laws. If you're running behind, flag down your charge nurse and ask for help.

There are exceptions. New admits, particularly any that are very unstable - will generate 'team' support as you try to get them settled in and process all the admission orders. Codes or other unusual events will also trigger a team reaction - with 'all hands on deck' until the situation stabilizes enough for everyone to go back to their own corners.

ICU nurses are expected to ask for help when it's really needed. Otherwise, everybody stays engaged with their own patients. So - if something arises that changes one of your patients to a 1:1 for a while... helping with an LP, central line, etc,... you need to holler and help will appear. Don't feel guilty if you use some of your 'down time' to catch up or take a breather.

Specializes in ICU.

If your assignment is overwhelming you just can't be a team player. Some days are just like that. On your "easier" days, make sure you walk around and ask if people need help then. Otherwise, it's just not possible.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Women’s Health.
In my experience, ICU is not a "team player" environment in terms of routine assignments.

This could not be farther from what I experience on my unit. We are always checking in with each other, whether it's for turns or getting people out of bed or help with a blood draw or checking blood/signing off meds/etc. We always say that ICU nursing is a team sport. The sicker the patient or the newer the nurse, the more frequently we check in. We sometimes have 2 techs, but often have 1 (who is busy stocking rooms) or none so we typically need to get everything done with our fellow nurses.

That being said, everyone can see if you are busy and no one is going to be offended if you aren't offering to help out. In fact, it would be irresponsible of you to help others when you are swamped with work. Your own patients are your priority. Help when you can, but if you can't, others will completely understand.

Specializes in ICU/PACU.

I think it's best to work on time management and getting you out on time first. Putting off lunch on a daily basis and staying 1-2 hours behind on most days to chart sounds awful:( Are you new to the unit or is it just a terribly busy ICU?

Specializes in Critical care.

As I've mentioned previously, I'm UK based, so our staffing works a little bit differently but is similar to you guys. When I first started out in critical care I found my time management an absolute nightmare, rushing round, trying to get everything done and generally not seeing out side of my bedspace/bedspaces. I found, with experience, I could start to manage my time more effectively, start to spread out and help out others with sick or busy patients without dropping the ball with my own. My unit is really busy, we always try to help each other out though, which makes it a nice place to work, even on bad days.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Nurse to patient ratio is usually 1:2. We have 1 CNA for the floor -- approx. 14 beds.

((HUGS)) you are new....it takes time. You'll get there.

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