I can't believe this....

Nurses General Nursing

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SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I would betcha there are other more serious problems that the sandwitches serve as a stand in for.

But, with my 10 year history of working the noc shift, there are problems with foods and snacks donated.

It has been the "policy" that when the company provides the food/pizza the boxes and containers are left out all day, thats 16 hours folks. Then noc shift comes on and can eat to their hearts content. Botulism? Food poisnioning sound like fun? Of course then it is expected noc shift clean up the mess and have the facility in shipshape order when they leave.

I understand family and doctors see am and pm shift workers, and are upset to hear from us noc workers. But, most of us really care and work hard on nights. We really are the forgotten. The christmas cards and thankyou cards are really always for the other shifts, like as if we twiddle our thumbs, most of the pts who need to talk - do so at night to the staff, share their worries and concerns and we have a little more time to listen. So, yes those sandwiches do belong to all the shifts. But, when we fight, it's for respect and understanding, not the stupid sandwiches.

I hear you, being a fellow NOC nurse. Iguess I gave up LONG ago on that fight. I just do my job and go on my way. I long since gave up getting equal billing w/dayshift. :uhoh3:

boulergirl, CNA

428 Posts

Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

When it comes to getting thanks on the noc shift, I've noticed that the people most eager to praise and reward us--are the people we care for on a daily (or nightly) basis. And their thanks feels more genuine.

christinemj

154 Posts

I personally wish people would STOP dropping off/delivering the "goodies!" My hips and thighs agree!!! :imbar :chuckle (I've been "good"....but there WAS that box of incredibly smooth Belgian chocolates..... :imbar )

Seriously, at my place of work, the various physician groups have been kind enough to send a "goodie gift" for each shift. (Now, if they would just spread out the cheer over a couple months...LOL)

StephMSeattle

57 Posts

Too many cookies...and candies....and more cookies...this season. Then my mom sent more of the stuff. I sat it on the table at work and let everybody take what they wanted.

My mom sends lots of junk. Then she'll tell you that you're getting fat! Muahahahaha! :rotfl:

Specializes in M/S/Tele, Home Health, Gen ICU.

May be there should be a policy to split such goodies between the shifts. Most of our docs do send seperate containers for each shift, but sometimes when there is only one thing there is little left over for nights because of all the others who come through and help themselves!!!! (Including the Docs)

mitchsmom

1,907 Posts

Specializes in OB, lactation.

sounds like a good Seinfeld episode.

boulergirl, CNA

428 Posts

Specializes in Home care, assisted living.
sounds like a good Seinfeld episode.

Yeah, and throw a "Snack Nazi" in there somewhere!! :rotfl: "Nocakeforyou!"

flashpoint

1,327 Posts

LOL...I once worked at an LTC that refused to let staff accept gifts of food from doctors, drug reps, families, etc...if anyone brought in food, it was stored until the next day and passed out as treats during the resident's activities. I made the mistake of bringing in one of the sheet cakes left over from my wedding and they served it to the residents for dessert the next day! A few of the staff members got a small piece of the cake, but most got nothing at all.

At the hospital I am at now, most people bring in food for both shifts...when they don't we try to divide it evenly or we just cowboy up and accept the fact that sometimes there isn't enough to go around. No big deal. One thing that is strange to me is that our nursing students are not allowed to eat anything that is brought in by staff, families, drug reps, etc...even if the people bringing it it specifically bring extra for the students. Their instructor considers it to be unprofessional to accept gifts...sigh. They're also expected to use the public restrooms rather than the staff ones and they're supposed to let staff get in front of them in line in the cafeteria...there are other "belittlings" placed upon them by their instructors, but I can't think of what they are right now.

Ooops...got a bit off topic, didn't I? :)

llg, PhD, RN

13,469 Posts

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

The "sandwich fight" is a great example of one of the big problems faced by managers. How do you reward a staff (or individual) without causing a lot of trouble? I can't tell you how many hours of meetings have been spent trying to find a way to provide rewards.

If you don't reward staff members who do a great job, you get criticized for not providing rewards and incentives. If you do try to provide some type of reward/incentive program, you start a fight and/or get criticized because some people didn't benefit as much as other people. It really puts a damper on "trying to be nice."

Once again ... nurses are their own worst enemy.

llg

boulergirl, CNA

428 Posts

Specializes in Home care, assisted living.

Speaking of competition sparked by rewards programs, I have noticed that the "Employee of the Month" feature silently disappeared from our facility's newsletter.

redshiloh

345 Posts

llg I completely agree. I have worked here as LVN, RN and acting nurse manager and I remember feeling unappreciated as a staff nurse. But as nurse manager, all I ever got from trying to show appreciation via awards, food ect was complaints, union grievances, EEO grievances.

I used to keep a candy dish on my desk for hungry nurses, but I found out (too late) that they were actually taking the candy but backstabbing me after they left the office. I feel very discouraged because being a nice person makes you a target for malicious people.

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