Co-workers doing your work behind your back?

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok, this is a part rant, part question. I work on a general medical floor where I am fairly new. My problem is that I often feel as though my co-workers will go behind my back and do my work! The nurses usually tell me about what they did for the patient after the fact and often times in passing. Like if they see an IV of mine beeping, they will fix it, disconnect the patient if it's done, etc. They will also give my patients water, food, etc. if the patients ask. Granted these are little things, but it drives me crazy! And I consider it a safety issue. Such as if the patient they had given food to was NPO, or they program my IV pump wrong. Does anyone else have this problem? It is really driving me crazy and I'm not quite sure how to deal with it.

Specializes in Case Management.

Sounds like you were lucky enough to pick a winner of a unit. Heed the advise of each poster and thank your lucky stars, and DON'T forget to return the favor when you are able!!!

Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.

I agree. Enjoy the fact that your team works so well together and that the others watch out for each other. And as the others have said, make sure you return the favor. Is this by any chance 2nd shift? One of the best teams I worked with was a 2nd shift crew and it ran like a well oiled machine.

You should be thankful that your co-nurses are willing to help you...This is a part of team working...In my unit, we help each other out eventhough we're not assigned to their patients. If I hear a beeping sound in one of the rooms I am not assigned to, I go in and check what causes the beep. If it's an IVF that just needs to be fixed (occluded; needs more volume) then I fix it and tell the primary nurse of what happened and what I did. If the bag is empty or completed then I call (we carry inhouse cellphone) the primary nurse and tell her that the bag is empty and ask her if she would want me to replace it (of course I double/triple check the order prior to). If there is an NPO sign on the door and the patient or family is asking for food/water, then I tell them that I will need to check that with the patient's nurse. Trust me, if you have coworkers that are willing to help, you will develop a great relationship with them...and of course it won't hurt too if you return the favor and say THANK YOU and SMILE. Safety is major concern, that's why good communication with your coworkers is a must! Always check with the primary nurse if you're in doubt....at least this shows that you are a team worker...DO NOT GET INTO A HABIT OF SAYING "OH SHE'S NOT MY PATIENT", RATHER SAY " I AM NOT HER PRIMARY NURSE TODAY BUT I WILL CHECK WITH HER PRIMARY NURSE", this will make patients and family feel a little better.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.
:yeahthat: :yeahthat:

Dear OP, not only are these people helping you but you should also be helping them.;)

I don't get it.....you're complaining because you have coworkers who actually help you instead of letting you sink???

Specializes in Med/Surg; Psych; Tele.

I agree with the other posters. I had a nurse yesterday who medicated one of my patients for nausea just before I got back from lunch. I thanked her very enthusiastically! As far as eating/drinking, my co-workers always ask if it is ok for them to give my patients water, etc. I really appreciate that as opposed to the nurse who instead puts it like, "patient X said she needs some water".

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Sounds to me like you should be very greatful. What wonderful co-workers.

:yeahthat:

Personally I would accept the help with gratitude and not worry that a mistake would be made. Not that a mistake couldn't happen. But we work so hard when coworkers help, it fosters teamwork, customer satisfaction, etc.

I agree with the teamwork thing. This is the way it should work. If someone is hanging an IV for you and enters the wrong rate, they are signing the med off under their name, same with giving a med, so it would be their error, not yours. This is where communication is key also. I try very hard to help my coworkers when I have the time to do so, I always let them know when I am giving a med, or ask about NPO status. I've found when you help others, they help you and there are many many shifts where you thank your lucky stars you have coworkers who will help. I absolutely hate it when people ignore call lights and IV beeps bacause "that isn't my room". That may be me, though, as for most of my career I've been fortunate to have worked in a team setting even when everyone was doing primary care. It's fantastic when it works.

Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

As others have said, the appropriate response is to thank God every single day you have been so blessed!!

And, of course, to help them out whenever possible.

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