Lazy supervisor stories

ktwlpn, LPN · Dec 3, 2013

I've had a few who would walk onto the unit when poo was hitting the fan, plop down at the nurse's station,pick up the newspaper or magazine and then IGNORE the ringing phone at their elbow while I was busy at the other end of the unit.That was many years ago-today I would call them out on it. I'm mean and old....

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Dec 4, 2013

I understand that we all need to get things off our chest from time to time...I've even gone off on a rant from time to time but can you just imagine if I, as a supervisor./DON, started a thread titled something like "lazy floor nurse stories". You all would run me off the forum.

There are lazy supervisors & there are lazy nurses. Unless you have a specific rant & are looking for advise on how to deal with them you should just keep it to yourself.

Blackcat99 · Dec 4, 2013

Nascar nurse-Please do start your thread about lazy floor nurse stories too. At my nursing home, we have both lazy supervisors and lazy floor nurses. One of our nursing supervisors can rarely be found. She is a chain smoker and is always outside smoking and talking on her cell phone. One of the other supervisors is the biggest gossip in the whole facility. She also contributes to the gossip by talking in detail about her personal very active sex life with multiple partners.

Runninonempty · Dec 4, 2013

I understand that we all need to get things off our chest from time to time...I've even gone off on a rant from time to time but can you just imagine if I, as a supervisor./DON, started a thread titled something like "lazy floor nurse stories". You all would run me off the forum.
There are lazy supervisors & there are lazy nurses. Unless you have a specific rant & are looking for advise on how to deal with them you should just keep it to yourself.

Honestly if someone started a lazy floor nurse thread it wouldn't bother me since it wouldn't apply to me because I'm not lazy! Just as if a supervisor on this thread knows they run their unit well and aren't lazy shouldn't take offense to my topic!

I have a lazy supervisor if she reads these threads she would probably be one of the few that would be offended by my topic. But I think of this as a lighthearted and fun way to vent my frustration and see if I'm not alone

amoLucia · Dec 4, 2013

Honestly if someone started a lazy floor nurse thread it wouldn't bother me since it wouldn't apply to me because I'm not lazy! Just as if a supervisor on this thread knows they run their unit well and aren't lazy shouldn't take offense to my topic!
I have a lazy supervisor if she reads these threads she would probably be one of the few that would be offended by my topic. But I think of this as a lighthearted and fun way to vent my frustration and see if I'm not alone

Firstly, your supervisor probably WOULD NOT even recognize that posting anecdotes about her were really about her. Typically, these kind of people do not recognize their faults, so that post would just fly over her head.

Secondly, bad nsg supervisors are NOT something funny. They represent a blight to the reputation of other nursing management who work their tails off to do the best they can. And while I have worked with some bad (lazy) supervisors, they were few in number when compared to the number of problem subordinate nurse staff I've supervised. They were true disciplinary problems.

I have no idea what it is that makes you think your super is lazy. But you need to realize that her job responsibilities do not require that she do your job duties. Now of course if she is sacked out, nested sleeping on the job, unable to be reached in a crisis, then there is a problem that should be brought up to administration.

And BTW, there is 'no fun and lighthearted way' to make examples of others. Talk about being disrespectful!!! I could just imagine if the situation were reversed. You'd be howling to the moon if your super wanted to make fun & light of you.

Not professional.

Guest757854 · Dec 4, 2013

Firstly, your supervisor probably WOULD NOT even recognize that posting anecdotes about her were really about her. Typically, these kind of people do not recognize their faults, so that post would just fly over her head.
Secondly, bad nsg supervisors are NOT something funny. They represent a blight to the reputation of other nursing management who work their tails off to do the best they can. And while I have worked with some bad (lazy) supervisors, they were few in number when compared to the number of problem subordinate nurse staff I've supervised. They were true disciplinary problems.
I have no idea what it is that makes you think your super is lazy. But you need to realize that her job responsibilities do not require that she do your job duties. Now of course if she is sacked out, nested sleeping on the job, unable to be reached in a crisis, then there is a problem that should be brought up to administration.
And BTW, there is 'no fun and lighthearted way' to make examples of others. Talk about being disrespectful!!! I could just imagine if the situation were reversed. You'd be howling to the moon if your super wanted to make fun & light of you.
Not professional.

I THINK THIS THREAD IS RUBBING THE "WRONG" PEOPLE THE WRONG WAY!! OFFENSE/DEFENSIVENESS CAN ONLY BE TAKEN BY A READER OF THIS THREAD IF IT REFLECTS THEM IJS. I can empathize with having to deal with lazy supervisors, lets just face it there are some lazy supervisors/DONs out there. As far as this thread not being "professional"........ i think someone may need to look in a thesaurus.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Dec 4, 2013

I totally agree that there are just as many "lazy floor nurse" stories as there are "lazy supervisor" stories.

Plus Ive noticed that, in nursing, everyone seems to think that the station above them is on Easy Street. The CNAs are convinced that all we (LPNs) do is pass meds and chart while they do the "real" work. The LPNs are convinced that the RN supervisors spend all shift sitting like queens in their office.

Until you've been there, you don't know what their job actually entails.

Guest757854 · Dec 4, 2013

I totally agree that there are just as many "lazy floor nurse" stories as there are "lazy supervisor" stories.
Plus Ive noticed that, in nursing, everyone seems to think that the station above them is on Easy Street. The CNAs are convinced that all we (LPNs) do is pass meds and chart while they do the "real" work. The LPNs are convinced that the RN supervisors spend all shift sitting like queens in their office.
Until you've been there, you don't know what their job actually entails.

Yes you are correct.

Runninonempty · Dec 4, 2013

Firstly, your supervisor probably WOULD NOT even recognize that posting anecdotes about her were really about her. Typically, these kind of people do not recognize their faults, so that post would just fly over her head.
Secondly, bad nsg supervisors are NOT something funny. They represent a blight to the reputation of other nursing management who work their tails off to do the best they can. And while I have worked with some bad (lazy) supervisors, they were few in number when compared to the number of problem subordinate nurse staff I've supervised. They were true disciplinary problems.
I have no idea what it is that makes you think your super is lazy. But you need to realize that her job responsibilities do not require that she do your job duties. Now of course if she is sacked out, nested sleeping on the job, unable to be reached in a crisis, then there is a problem that should be brought up to administration.
And BTW, there is 'no fun and lighthearted way' to make examples of others. Talk about being disrespectful!!! I could just imagine if the situation were reversed. You'd be howling to the moon if your super wanted to make fun & light of you.
Not professional.

Unprofessional is when your actions or reactions affect the job you do directly my silly post rant isn't hurting anyone since its anonymous without the use of names or any indication of the place I work.

Runninonempty · Dec 4, 2013

I totally agree that there are just as many "lazy floor nurse" stories as there are "lazy supervisor" stories.
Plus Ive noticed that, in nursing, everyone seems to think that the station above them is on Easy Street. The CNAs are convinced that all we (LPNs) do is pass meds and chart while they do the "real" work. The LPNs are convinced that the RN supervisors spend all shift sitting like queens in their office.
Until you've been there, you don't know what their job actually entails.

I wouldn't want a supervisors job I know a good supervisor has their work cut out for them. I have supervisors in my place that are excellent mentors and love to teach and guide the new nurses others that are excellent nurses and do a damn good job but aren't the kindest to their nurses and then you have the ones like the one I discuss that really does nothing for the staff or residents on her unit and creates a poor work environment. My CNAs know what's what they actually beg me to take a break and never think my job is only passing pills but I'm also the nurse that will spot a Hoya lift toilet a resident and do other minor things to help my CNAs.

HeyHeyitsMaay · Dec 5, 2013

I did a test yesterday - and turned on a call light in a patient's room and then proceeded to stand in the bathroom and wait. All of our aides were in the dining room for lunch or feeding residents in their rooms. The nurses were on the floor, at the nurse's station. I stayed in that patient's bathroom standing there waiting for a nurse to respond for 45 minutes. Not one of those nurses got up from their conversation about Black Friday to address the light. I have ordered our CNA's to feed residents during meals while medication aides and nurses trade off on answering call lights so that nurses can make use of some of that time to chart. If I don't force the aides not to answer lights, residents don't get fed and myself and the unit managers answer lights to help out as well but we can't be there 7 days a week and I need our nurses to stop ignoring resident calls for help.

So...Finally I sent a text to the ADON and had her go get one of them to answer the light. Tomorrow? I'll have one of them sit there and find out what it's like to be helpless, waiting for someone to answer who never shows up. I was a floor nurse. I get it. I KNOW how excruciatingly hard it is to work in a snf. But I am not the one, and no amount of positive reinforcement or any other motivation can get these nurses to respond to call lights without me giving them written disciplinary action. Lazy supervisors are real. But so are lazy floor staff.