Nurses Complaining About Assignments

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have seen a trend in my workplace of my fellow nurses throwing huge hissy fits about their assigned patients. Sometimes it is warranted, most of the time it's not. It's embarrassing to watch my well respected coworkers act like two year olds. I'm talking about stomping feet, storming off, slamming doors, and berating the charge nurse on the previous shift.

I will be training for charge soon and am petrified of how to handle the amount of attitude and disrespect during the huddle. To me, it's unbelievable. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how to deal with this. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just tell them to "knock it off and grow up, and if y'all don't like it there's the door..."

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What are they getting upset about? I've never stomped off or slammed doors, but I have definitely questioned things at times.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not getting patients back that they had the night before, having two contact precaution rooms, having to walk an extra five feet to a patient room, and having two cabg patients are just some of the reasons.

I understand questioning some of these things, but I just don't understand the reaction of total disrespect to the charge nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Manager/Administrator.

When I was a new manager I always had the most common policies at my finger tips. Attendance, respect in the work place to name a few I recall there was about 4-5 policies I knew by heart that dealt with employees. When nurses would get their assignments and start with the drama I would just make a copy of the policy and hand it to them. I would also tell them to read the book how to win friends and influence people or everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten. I have been known to buy 20 of those books at a time and pass them out!

I am not a mean manager just one who follows the rules and try to make the work environment a better place for all. I will not step on eggs shells nor would I want anyone else to step on egg shells in my work environment. Professional attitude can be a great or bad experience, I always want the great version in the work environment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

This will be ongoing. I used to take admits as charge just so I wouldn't catch wrath. I will actually ask for a heavy patient back on my third night because I honestly believe that continuity of care is only valid for complex patients. Other coworkers ask for breaks from these patients, but these patients are much easier the second or third shift. Many nurses feel that the patients are there for them and throw fits when it isn't so. We immediately direct nurses that act like this to private areas and redirect them to meaningful conversation. What is the general tone on your unit? Negative tone makes for negative outcome. I have worked with excellent staffing and not so excellent, yet my coworkers focus on poor staffing all the time, despite their ability to walk out within 15 minutes of the end of their shift. I point this out, because a grateful heart is a happy heart, and that makes my work environment livable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Our unit seems to have many young women with this being the first nursing job they have had. I am not trying to open the ageism can of worms; I am a younger nurse as well. But I've worked other places as a nurse and have gained some perspective.

I'm just not sure how I would handle a situation where someone is complaining about an assignment. I have no problems with confrontation, but I fear that it would escalate based on the behavior I've seen and heard about during the huddle.

There is a group of us who have noticed the negative tone on the unit. We are combating it with positivity and leading by example. But part of me thinks that these people need to be called out on their behavior.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Sometimes the complaint is valid. Perhaps someone should listen to these various nurses to unearth the reasons for their dissatisfaction with the assignment.

When I worked the floor, I was an unhappy camper after receiving an assignment of 7 patients with 5 more new admits pending on the hall I had been assigned. Yes, I ended up with 12 patients that night and no help with the admissions. Although it was not the night from hell, it was hellish.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sometimes the complaint is valid. Perhaps someone should listen to these various nurses to unearth the reasons for their dissatisfaction with the assignment.

[…]

I agree. However, this is difficult, if not impossible, when one of the involved parties is acting like a spoiled brat.

…I'm talking about stomping feet, storming off, slamming doors, and berating the charge nurse on the previous shift.

[…]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Maybe, the ones who pout carry on etc., should be asked to come in early to work on the assignment with charge, if they know better. Our staff who would stay over to help (8hr shifts) got to keep their patients which of course would infuriate people coming back and wanting "their" patients back, but they would shut up quick because the alternative would be they'd have more patients if the day shift didn't stay to help. I guess my point is, announce to all the whiners, come early if you are that determined to change things and if you can't do better than shut up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I handed the assignment to a nurse complaining that I was taking a patient from her to give to an oncoming nurse and she didn't like the pt. I chose. Amazing how things change when they are going to be mad at you for making them walk miles for their patients. Best way to change an attitude.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment