Abusing staff nurses to do "presentation"-- can they do this to us?!

3rdwing · Nov 17, 2012

Thank you fellow floor nurses/nonfloor RNs for your comments. I am glad we have this site to post situations and read them. Will try to work with the management on this although sometimes like going upstream without a paddle...

MurseKyle · Jan 13, 2014

This is a topic for staff meeting where professionally you say...Thank you for recognizing the value of education. I appreciate your interest to keep us all well educated. I'd like to continue learning however I am concerned pt are suffering because of .. (be specific
with example.
You sound frustrated. I understand. This is not a legal issue. Your on the wrong track. Don't allow frustration to speak for you. If you want change you will need to put your emotions aside and constructively seek it. Consider compromise,plan for it. Would a monthly presentation be do able?
I actually think you are lucky that your manager supports on going education. I do however get the frustrations too that it incurs. Meet the manager half way.

EchoRNC711 is absolutely correct. Education is a great thing! By making our staff nurses do presentations, we are advancing our knowledge and our profession. It is incredibly difficult to do this when you have so little time. But, take it easy. Slow down and think about a possible solution before you say/do something you regret out of anger. And do not use the recording or videotape. It's not really that professional and it's halfa**ed. Professionals stand up in front of their colleagues every day. I also agree that monthly sounds like a much better idea. Weekly for an intern/resident or attending makes sense. A staff nurse though? Monthly or twice a month makes more sense. Also, it sounds like the main issue is staffing. If you manager wants you to do the presentation and also does not want to hire more nurses and you are continually upset..... get a new job.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 13, 2014

Hi all!
I work on a 12 hr. dayshift neuro floor as staff nurse in a fast paced large acute hospital. Lately we have more critical patients with less staff- everyone agree? I am so stressed with patient care and being charge nurse that I can't eat or use the bathroom at all- sound familiar?
Ok, get this, the floor manager practically forces us to do 45 mins. presentation on the brain every week DURING OUR WORK HOURS. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? I am against this as this is burdening the team, I already leave late from all that charting. We were told we were outstanding nurses per manager, ha! We still refused but she keeps coming up to the floor to HARASS us why we can't do it, relentless. It's obvious, but they turn a blind eye. The admin. wants someone to do it. We have a nurse educator... We already teach pt and families before discharge.
DO I have a legal say? ANY SUGGESTIONS OR OPTIONS WELCOME. I WILL CHECK THIS POST OFTEN. Thanks!

Abuse? You're really reaching for that one.

Giving presentations during work hours is a part of the job these days, especially in large teaching hospitals with many specialized units. Preparing the presentation in your off hours is generally also an expectation.

You do have a say in this issue. If you feel that strongly about it, resign. Otherwise, prepare yourself a presentation.

NewYorkerGirl · Oct 31, 2014

Preparing the presentation in your off hours is generally also an expectation.

That's not acceptable. No one should be expected to work for free. If nurses chose to do this so they can add to their resume or contribute to humanity, have at it. Otherwise, pay the nurses for the extra hour to do this presentation, or cut the patient ratio so the nurse has time to do it in the workday.

Hmmm, can you tell I used to belong to a union? Oh, how I miss my union!