is your efficiency misinterpreted as lazy ?

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Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

I remember a thread a week or so ago with a nurse who didn't really have time to stop their med pass to help toilet/change a resident that they've told a resident to go in their brief if they refused a bedpan, yet I'm hearing that some nurses are done with their work way ahead of schedule and they're sitting around having downtime? That doesn't seem right, and not very team oriented. I'd rather help out a co-worker anyday than watch them run around ragged because of how they manage their time. That doesn't mean I'm going to stay an hour past my shift helping them, but I'm not going sit around taking up space just because I manage my time better.

BrandonLPN, LPN

3,358 Posts

I always help my coworkers. That's what having extra downtime enables one to do. I can't help someone else until my work is done, right? I just don't appreciate being told I finish early because I "cheat".

The more I think of it, the more I think the OP might've been just trying to "stir things up" here. But I do have a co-worker just like that who does the bare minimum of work and then sits on her tush the rest of the shift. It doesn't escape the notice of everyone, even other departments.

Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.
I always help my coworkers. That's what having extra downtime enables one to do. I can't help someone else until my work is done, right? I just don't appreciate being told I finish early because I "cheat".

Brandon,

Please don't think I'm coming at you. I've read your posts and can tell what an amazing nurse you are. In my mind, you're my favorite co-worker. Like you, I worked in LTC as an LPN for many years so I know you work your butt off every day you go to work. If you finish early it's because you've come up with your own method to the madness. I know this, and would never call this cheating. You aren't the kind of nurse I'm talking about.

YES! I have this problem. Not to toot my own horn but I can assess pts, pass meds, chart everything, write my notes and have some coffee and small talk with a patient or too--all before 1000.. And during night shift all before 930 (I rotate)

One unusually anxious and always stressed nurse told me I must do "half assed" assessments once. Really made me angry...

It's not our fault we are efficient!

dudette10, MSN, RN

3,530 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

You are very efficient! Just a suggestion for your downtime: in the very few opportunities I've had with downtime-I am admittedly not as efficient as you are-- I've gone to each room just to say, "Is there anything you need?" One time I did that, and I discovered a CNA doing the same thing for the exact same reason. We had a good laugh over that and we were braced for the **** to hit the fan because it seemed to be an easy day!

Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I work with efficient nurses too. They seem to be the ones to step out in the hall and ask the one CNA we have for 18 pts, to get the pt some ice water. They seem to be the ones who pats the little old lady's hand and say "I'll get you some help", put on the call light, and walk away when the pt requests you help them to the bathroom. They're the ones who surf the web, but won't answer a single call light when five are going off and the one CNA you have is off the floor for lunch. They're the ones who won't answer the phone, help with an admit that's not theirs, or answer an alarm on a confused patient. They're the nurses who put their blinders on when they come to work and do only what they deem "their job".

I've watched the nurses I work with who consistently get done with an entire shifts work before midnight. I've watched them do all of the above while they pride themselves on their efficiency.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

No, because I work my butt off to help the other nurses who need a complete bedding change, a look out for a confused patient, an IV (except not really since I suck at IVs) or a foley thrown in.

OP also feels troll-y to me.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I'll put aside the OP's claim that she got all her work done in almost half the time of most nurses. the other nurses apparently need a hand and you gotta help your coworkers. after that, if you've got time to lean, you've got time to clean, and restock. I have never worked a shift where someone couldn't use a spa-like bath, or a shampoo, or a pedicure. Find something!! It's never PC to sit when your coworkers are running, I'd be annoyed too.[/quote']

^^agree...being efficient allows me to do all of the above...and anticipate the unexpected...

OP, your clients and peers will thank you...and there may be a day where you need an extra hand...your "efficient" co-worker will need if that day ;)

ElizaW

55 Posts

Efficiency is wonderful, but are you sure you can't find something else to do? Is there a patient with anxiety that you could sit with and listen to? Does anyone need their hand held? Does anyone need a sounding board or a shoulder to cry on? Do your aides need help getting their work done? (After all, it is ALL your work, just the non-licensed part of it is delegated to them.) Does one of your co-workers need a hand? Is there anything that needs to be ordered or re-stocked?

As a former manager from another field I know that nobody is paid to browse the Internet. You are paid to work, so find some work to do. I can't believe that there is none. If you think everything is done it's just because you aren't looking hard enough.

I don't mean to sound critical, but nursing is a different kind of field. Your focus should not be on getting a list of tasks completed. It should be on helping to maintain the health, safety, and diginity of the people in your charge. So if the tasks are complete, do some comfort rounding. You might find a place where you can do some good. Maybe someone wants a ginger ale. Maybe one of the aides is drowning and needs help.

I work with efficient nurses too. They seem to be the ones to step out in the hall and ask the one CNA we have for 18 pts, to get the pt some ice water. They seem to be the ones who pats the little old lady's hand and say "I'll get you some help", put on the call light, and walk away when the pt requests you help them to the bathroom. They're the ones who surf the web, but won't answer a single call light when five are going off and the one CNA you have is off the floor for lunch. They're the ones who won't answer the phone, help with an admit that's not theirs, or answer an alarm on a confused patient. They're the nurses who put their blinders on when they come to work and do only what they deem "their job".

I've watched the nurses I work with who consistently get done with an entire shifts work before midnight. I've watched them do all of the above while they pride themselves on their efficiency.

Yes yes people who are good at their jobs MUST be terrible nurses who cut corners and force their work on their coworkers!! Never answer call lights!! Just awful people.... Sorry you aren't an efficient worker, doesn't mean you have to be bitter!

I help my coworkers, start what seems to be every needed IV on the floor, and make all the assignments/help all the techs/clean the station/do other nurses admission assessments even. I'm a damn good nurse and proud of it. What you said was rude random Internet person.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

OP also feels troll-y to me.

Hmm...didn't think about it like that...OP was on a post stating how overworked and busy they were...

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