What to do about nurses who neglect their patients and their responsibility??

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Oct 29, 2001

Repeated confrontation, not just by you. So if she sends out another email point out in front of other people that the garbage can by her feet is full, she haas her work cut out for her. Or if she doesn't fix the pump, etc. Of course everyone needs to be united on this, if it's just you well, you'd look good getting waxed into the floor.

What's up with the supervisor who talked with her for 10min while the pump was beeping? Or with admin who know about lack of patient care but do nothing? I don't get it.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Oct 29, 2001

I once followed a nurse who had given report on patient "A" as having slept well all night even though the nurses were "extremely busy." We didn't keep notes at the bedside then but actually IN the chart. Well when I got to the room patient "A" was resting IN PEACE and had apparently been so for several hours!

OK that's bad enough, but then.....when we checked the chart to see what the vital signs were running for any clue.......we found the nurses notes....in the chart......with the bottom of the page torn off!!! Guess the nurse had charted in advance? Or charted without seeing the patient , huh?

Oh and about a year later she was made assistant head nurse for nights!!!

Go figure.

VAC · Oct 29, 2001

Great topic!! I don't have many answers, but I see many examples of laziness at work. I also see double standards for new people than for older staff. I think it's true that everyone must be unified to stop this unacceptable and dangerous behavior. In other words change the culture. We have to confront this behavior or in will continue. Easier said than done, and I'm not very good at confrontations. Might help to go higher up the ranks than your manager.

I'm interested in hearing how others have successfully confronted this type of laziness, because I'm not very good at it..

Terrie · Oct 29, 2001

Originally posted by canoehead
Repeated confrontation, not just by you. So if she sends out another email point out in front of other people that the garbage can by her feet is full, she haas her work cut out for her. Or if she doesn't fix the pump, etc. Of course everyone needs to be united on this, if it's just you well, you'd look good getting waxed into the floor.

What's up with the supervisor who talked with her for 10min while the pump was beeping? Or with admin who know about lack of patient care but do nothing? I don't get it.

The supervisor thinks she is boss so there for she does nothing.

I finally got administration to investigate the complaint.

My manager is mad enough to fire me!!! :eek:

I guess I will wait and see what happens.

Honesty and being a patient advocate does not do any good but I have to continue to do it or I will not be able to live with my self.

radnurse2001 · Oct 29, 2001

:(

Keep your chin up. If your "manager" was really a manager this crap wouldn't be happening. I would tell the lazy coworker that the only reason she notices the mess at the nurses station is because she never leaves it, or since she never leaves the nurses station and notices the mess, she could become an overpaid housekeeper and clean it up. After all she has soooo much time on her hands, and obviously her fellow coworkers don't need her......Sarcastic? Yeah. Unfortunately, for some, that's the way I handle things. I am not saying it's right for you, but I have found it effective. Keep DOCUMENTING her actions especially r/t patient care, unite with your fellow coworkers to confront the behavior, and keep your nose clean. Stay in contact with administration. If your manager treats you any differently, document that too. Keep on being an advocate for patients, after all that is why we are here. and keep this in mind---WHAT COMES AROUND, GOES AROUND. I have seen this many times in my nursing career. Good Luck, and let me/us know how you are doing.

nur20 · Oct 29, 2001

DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. i'M TALKING EXACT TIME, PLACES, WHO, WHAT WHEN AND HOW, ALSO WITNESSES IF POSSIBLE. COVER YOURSELF IN CASE THEY START TRUMPING UP WEIRD CHARGES. A LOT OF THE TIME, MANAGEMENT FEELS THAT A GOOD DEFENSE IS AN OFFENSE, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A "CLIQUE" OR A FRIENDSHIP AMOUNG THESE FOLK. SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM A SITUATION LIKE THIS. iT CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS SITUATIONS.

Terrie · Oct 29, 2001

Originally posted by nur20
DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT. i'M TALKING EXACT TIME, PLACES, WHO, WHAT WHEN AND HOW, ALSO WITNESSES IF POSSIBLE. COVER YOURSELF IN CASE THEY START TRUMPING UP WEIRD CHARGES. A LOT OF THE TIME, MANAGEMENT FEELS THAT A GOOD DEFENSE IS AN OFFENSE, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A "CLIQUE" OR A FRIENDSHIP AMOUNG THESE FOLK. SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM A SITUATION LIKE THIS. iT CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS SITUATIONS.

This is a great deal of the problem she has been there longer than I have and she knows what she can get away with.

Also, we are the only two nurses on the unit so its my word against hers. She did not chart that she turned these patients and I don't even think management looked at the charts.

No one will stand behind me completely because they have complained before and nothing was ever done so they see it as a lost cause. They tell me that it will not do any good to complain.

So I guess I am suppose to sit back and let the patients suffer. :confused:

nur20 · Oct 29, 2001

That is exactly why we are telling you to keep your nose clean and CYA.Because if and when it comes down to your word against hers, well think about it. Have your facts straight and documented.IT's hard to argue with the truth. You never know which way this may lead. It could run from management trying to get rid of you or heaven forbid you should have to go to court if something happens to a patient Good luck

Terrie · Oct 29, 2001

Nur20,

I understand that I need to walk a straight line and keep my facts straight but it really doesn't matter if they want to get ride of me they will. I do not kiss managements back side and she does. (I REALLY HATE PEOPLE LIKE THIS).

I have not stated anything but facts and I told them to look at the charts but I cannot make them do that.

I have refused to care for patients after she cares for them because I do not want my name on the chart, I do not want to be involve in a law suit. She has call pts wimps to their face, she has denied post op pts pain meds because she did not believe they should be in pain, she is totally incompent and a hugh liability. To management she is a warm body to cover the floor in this day of nursing shortages,

nur20 · Oct 30, 2001

I know everyone's life and circumstances are different and i would not attempt to tell you what to do, but if it was me and i couldn't get any satisfaction from the powers that be, if i have climbed that ladder to the top and no one is listening, i would remove myself. It would not be worth putting a patient in danger or losing my license. One thing a nurse never has to worry about is a job. Your next interviewer will respect you for that decision if he/she is about nursing. If by chance they ask you what would you do if you encountered that same situation there. You would tell them that you would hope they would investigate the situation. No one wants to be a chronic complainer but right is right. Remember, i said if it were me. This is just another reason i enjoy working alone. I am solely responsible for my own actions. I will rise or fall on MY actions not someone elses.

Terrie · Oct 30, 2001

Nur20,

You are a wise person and your suggestions are taken straight to the heart. If they do not do anything after the investigation I am already setting up interviews. I just feel that there are one of these people every where you go:o Where does it stop:confused: Why is management so willing to harbor these type of money milkers:(

You are right my license is not worth this job but who is going to stand up for these patients?????