Seniority question and WWYD in this situation?

[mondkmondk]

I have worked in a LTC facility that I just loved until very recently. I have only worked there since last July. I work evenings, every other weekend only. Occasionally, I have an LPN working with me which should be nice but it is not. She does 12 hour shifts so I have her until 6pm (Evening shift starts at 2p). She has been there a year longer than I have. I'm an RN...who would have seniority? I would like to be able to talk to her and tell her I need more help from her than what I am getting. I really want to talk to her first before going to the DON. From the time she gives me report to the time she leaves, she takes about 6 smoke breaks (our facility mandates one 15 minute break then your one 30 min. lunch break), and the one time I asked her to do a couple of accuchecks for me she gave me a dirty look and said "I guess I will". What would you all do in this situation? Thanks in advance!

Blessings, M.

[freddiebear]

First you need to review her job description, what duties she is expected to perform. Then you need to review the employee manual.

This is not a personal issue. So no need to make it one. Just write down the facts in regards to the times she takes her breaks, what time she leaves what time she comes back. She could be violating the policy as in not clocking in and out and leaving her assigned area without reporting off. Then review her job duties. Record the ones that she is omitting make a few copies keep one for yourself and give one to the DON. If you are her supervisor you have all the right in the world to hand her a written verbal warning. Be sure and have a witness when you do this. Might want to have a talk with her, armed with the evidence in writting in front of your DON. Then ask the DON if this is OK. Maybe this nurse wont like you but she will learn how to respect you. After all this is the best thing for the residents. To have nurses that are available to do what they can to meet their needs.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

Okay...where we work there are 3 different nursing stations, each station has between 20-30 residents. Station 2 and 3, which I'm responsible for, are right next to each other and station 1 is in a whole other part of the building. On day shift, each station has a charge nurse, but on evening shift, I am in charge of 2 and 3 and the supervising RN and also as the "charge nurse" meaning my duties include passing narcs, breathing treatments, finger sticks and insulins, documentation of those on ATB's and those that are Medicare A people. She is supposed to help me with whatever I need help with. She used to come to me and say "You do the nursing part and I'll do the rest" I never know what she means by that. Our duties all pertain to nursing. Tonight I came in late and she was preparing to go home....she had most everything done or caught up so I know she is capable, but I really feel like I'm being taken advantage of here because when I come in at normal time, she jets instantly out to the smoke shack. One day we had a readmit on station 3 and she handed me the paperwork and told me I needed to do it because she was sick of always having to do them. So I told her I would if she would do my accuchecks for me and that is when she said "I guess I will". I have been a CNA, CMT, LPN, and now RN. I'm not the type of RN to shove my title in someone's face; I just thought that I should be able to ask her to do things and she should be expected to do as I ask. I will get it all straightened out tomorrow with the DON....just to ask for a copy of her job duties and a copy of mine.

Blessings, Michelle

Now I better understand where you are coming from and agree with you completely. Your title just seemed a bit misleading - sorry if I added to the confusion.

But, ultimately I would agree with you - she is taking advantage and this needs to be stopped. Good luck with your situation.

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

i would talk to the DON first to get her job description so when you talk to her you have it to show her.

i would be very friendly and ask in a "i need your help" kind of way.

I think when she said "you do the nursing part" she meant run the desk and paperwork. i do that for my LPNs, especially if they are short. i do all the orders, admissions, etc and they are able to just concentrate on their meds and treatments because both are full time jobs.

good luck to you!

[achot chavi]

i would talk to the DON first to get her job description so when you talk to her you have it to show her.

agreed!!

i would be very friendly and ask in a "i need your help" kind of way.

We dont come to work looking for friends and I don't think she needs to beg or charm her way into getting the job done, i would ask in a matter of fact way, expecting that of course what you are asking will be done because it is within the job description and for the pts benefit.

I would not start with "I need your help" but " Can you please get a blood sugar on mrs. Q., then check mr, x's urine output"

I think when she said "you do the nursing part" she meant run the desk and paperwork. i do that for my LPNs, especially if they are short. i do all the orders, admissions, etc and they are able to just concentrate on their meds and treatments because both are full time jobs.

Its all nursing and I would point that out to her, I would tell her that I love working with her, and we need to be partners in this, I will be happy to do the paperwork but need her cooperation with the x, y, and z...

Regarding the smoke breaks, I would tell her that taking 3 breaks in hours is disruptive to the work that needs to be done, can she bring it down to 2...

You need to emphasize positive reinforcement here, praise her when she is helpful and works as a team, at the end of the shift tell her how nice it was to work with her and she should have a good night, If she doesn't help, in a matter of fact way say I really needed your help with .....and leave it at that. "

good luck to you!

Yeah that!! Good LuckK!!!

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i guess i just don't understand this arrangement cause where i come from the rn just handles the issues when they arise ..otherwise i the lvn am the nurse in charge of the unit and i handle all of the medicare paperwork along with all the assessment's ,nursing duties and what ever else surfaces... as a lvn i would be just a little taken back at the fact that i had to turn over the nursing duties to a higher power...i mean why lvn's are the backbone of ltc and definitly work horses..if i was in this situation ( which i will never be cause i cant work like this ) i would want to sit down and talk know my specific duties and know that i am part of the team...talk to her about smoke breaks and how it could be effecting pt care...but by all means do this before going to the don..