charge nurse drama

Nurses Relations

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Recently I've been charge nurse which is new for me. I'm learning how to have the unit flow in a happy fashion. However my approach was to go to my nursing colleagues and ask them how their assignment is and can they take an admission? ... The answer is always NO NO NO NO NO ... I get it.. noone wants another patient but I'm TRYING to be the charge nurse that is different and show I actually care about them but even being nice isn't working.. I always end up being the bad guy!!! I take admissions but noone sees that...I really thought this would go better but I don't want to do it anymore which is sad because my goals are to be in leadership:(

There's a HUGE SPACE between letting people drown and letting them refuse more work. If someone is truly drowning, you can help them. You can let them hold off on their turn to admit until later (per your decision, not their decision.)

Just be fair and help out. No need to try to reinvent the wheel.

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Well, its also about attitude too. My last few shifts I had a few admissions but my charge nurses approach was so amicable that you cant NOT like her.... "heyyy I hate to do this to ya but you're the next admitting bed, just a heads up!!"... "hey you're getting an ED admit.... thank you so much! Let me know how I can help you, the resource nurse already set up your room for you. You're awesome! "

It's like.... ya this sucks, but I'm awesome!! Its allll in your attitude.

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

I love being awesome!

Nurse-84

There's a great book called the one minute manager. It's a little book that tell you how to get stuff done by promoting others moral all the while driving your goals home. It's a very easy quick read and it works. You can buy it on Amazon...probably for a few bucks. I highly suggest you buy it and read it and put it to use.

It works kind of like this....you bring up the goal....then you bring up something that your coworker is good at (a complement or point out positives)....then you revisit the goal you need them to do and thank them for being so great at it! Everyone feels appreciated and a part of the team. It all takes less than a minute and you build morale while doing it. Maybe that is the approach you are looking for.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yes this is all great advice.. I'm by far NOT a push over by any means. In fact I may speak my mind a bit to often, but only in the benefit of my patients. I was just trying a new approach that I don't think will happen again. I only attempted this because most of the charge nurses on my unit don't seem to give to crap if you are drowning, SO I thought I would try and give a crap. My new role will be to assign and move on. I will be very observant of whats going on with all my nurses and go from there. When I said being nice I meant not being a big B to all of them, not letting them walk all over me. Because noone can do that:)...Thank you all for the lovely advice...
As a charge with patients it is a difficult role. I think you need to find a way to make them feel you empathize with their patient load...will help when you can...but you are not their friend. Show you work as hard as they do but you don't put up with baloney either.

It's tough. Lead by being the leader. Lead by example. Help them when you can but they need to understand that you are not going to put up with stuff either.

((HUGS))

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Specializes in Med Surg.
Well, its also about attitude too. My last few shifts I had a few admissions but my charge nurses approach was so amicable that you cant NOT like her.... "heyyy I hate to do this to ya but you're the next admitting bed, just a heads up!!"... "hey you're getting an ED admit.... thank you so much! Let me know how I can help you, the resource nurse already set up your room for you. You're awesome! "

It's like.... ya this sucks, but I'm awesome!! Its allll in your attitude.

That's how I do things. I tell people when I first make assignments who is up for the first and second admit. After that, I go by who is caught up/who's patient load is harder. If i have to make an assignment that seems unfair, I'll explain why, but not in a way that allows argument. After I make the assignment, I get the room ready. If the nurse is busy, I'll get the patient settled in as well. I also make sure to thank people, not in a fake way, but genuinely thank them for doing a good job/being good team players. It seems to work. People tell me they like when I charge, so in guess it's all right.

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This is wonderful, thank you happywife, I'll love for that book.! We always make lists when we start our shifts so people know when they are next for the admission. I think getting the room ready if time allows and settling the patient in for the nurse could be something that will help the flow of the floor! thx

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