Is is weird to ask for more duties at work?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in PACU.

Hello, i know its been a while. I have become a really busy girl lately. would love to catch up but i need to talk about whats on my mind at the moment. i work at a hospital on an ortho floor as an aide. i get to do alot and see a lot and ask a lot of questions, but i still feel like i could really be learning more and i feel like i can do more as long as the law allows. what i want to know from all of you is should i ask for more responsibiliities like, per diem unit secretary ( we now only have a secretary 11-5 and most of the time post-ops come up late like 3 or later and also admissions can come at anytime) i dont want more money i just want to learn and expereinece more, another thing is my phlebotomy skills, i have been trained to do phlebototmy and i was wondereing if i should asks if u can do it as needed . am i being crazy, i really have a lot of duties as an aide and even more when things are delegated. what should i do? i really want to more but i dont know if i"ll been asking for too much? what do you all think????

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

Great to hear from you again and that you're doing OK. You probably shouldn't ask for more secretarial duties but do ask to be more involved with clinical- type thing, like the phlebotomy. Our more advanced aides can do blood sugars, simple dry sterile dressing changes and intermittant catheterization. Boy, do I wish we had you working with us!

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I disagree. I think you can learn a whole lot from doing the unit secretary work, such as entering labs, preps for labs needed, general hospital operational procedures, etc. In fact, I wish I were better at that sort of stuff myself. But Chaya's suggestions are also good.

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I disagree. I think you can learn a whole lot from doing the unit secretary work, such as entering labs, preps for labs needed, general hospital operational procedures, etc. In fact, I wish I were better at that sort of stuff myself. But Chaya's suggestions are also good.

I think cross-training in all those areas is a good idea. Shows initiative too.

There are times when the ward clerk is not working (nights after 10 p.m. and before 7 a.m.) and then we may have to whip a chart together or get together the paperwork needed to transfer a patient out, etc. It is nice to know how to do that ahead of time instead of in a crisis.

Doing phlebotomy is great too . . I have to draw labs on patients sometimes and it definitely helps when you start to learn to do IVs.

Go for it.

steph :)

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Wow, it sounds like you love what you do. I think you should accomplish as much as your able. Good luck

Kim

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I don't think it's weird; I think it's wonderful -- you'll learn so much more.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

I also think this is very good. And yes, you can learn alot by being a unit secretary. One secretary now, who is a nursing student, told me that she has learned alot regarding the different types of diagnostic tests and by learning about different patient meds and dosages by simply writing them out (we don't have computerized med sheets yet...coming soon). Cross training is an excellent idea.

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Specializes in PACU.

thanks everyone im glad you all dont think im crazy but i know the other aides i work with will!!!! i plan on talking to my supervisor tomorrow and i'll see how it goes and let you all know

thabks again!

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Cross training is great as long as you don't burn yourself out. Great to hear from you, and glad to know you're okay. Major props to you!!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I do NOT think you are weird; I think you are motivated and smart. Good for you.

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Hey there, Miss JKM !!! :D

Long time no hear from ! Good to know you're busy and enjoying what you're doing.

You sound a lot like me... "gimme, gimme, gimme.. can I do?.. I wanna do !" :p

Yes.. go for it. Learn all you can, it will only help you in the future.. you'll be ahead of the game.

Just be careful not to allow yourself to be taken advantage of, either... happens quicker than you think. ;)

And don't take on so much that you burn out, either. Know your limits.

So sponge up all you're ABLE, but if you sponge up too much too fast, you'll weigh yourself down. Be careful.

HAVE FUN while you're at it, ok? :chuckle

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