How to handle lazy LPN's on the team

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bbuerke

36 Posts

Specializes in Oncology.

This is always a tough part of being in a leadership position, of any kind. I found what works best for me is to 1) Respect the people I work with. 2) Earn their respect in return.

What does this mean in real terms? Simply put, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. For example, I used to work with an RN who would walk all the way down the hallway to "delegate" (tell) the CNA to empty her patient's urinal, then walk back down the hallway to finish whatever she was doing. Of course, the CNA's hated this, not only was it completely inefficient, but it gave the image that they were only there to deal with bedpans and urinals. They did not feel respected or appreciated, and it certainly impacted their willingness to help in future situations. While it is certainly within the RN's job to delegate, it must be done judiciously, with respect and good sense. I found that by doing what I could for myself, I earned a reputation as a hard worker, and built loyal, trusting relationships with the various team members. They know that if I ask for help, they better come running, because I need it. Now they offer help when I don't expect it, again building on mutual respect. And I use that for leverage. On the rare occasion that someone is not being a team player, I say "You know me. If I didn't need you to do this for me, I wouldn't ask. Please help me, and I'll be sure to return the favor. Thanks."

Another thing that goes a long way is praise - people absolutely need positive reinforcement to feel respected and appreciated, and this cannot be said enough. I worked with a nurse that was great clinically but mean to everyone on staff - no one escaped going home in tears at least once because of her. Then one day she was behind the curtain. I didn't know it, and praised her to my patient, saying she was the absolute best at starting IV's. From that day forward she was never rude to me again. I guess people rarely praised her because she had such a gruff countenance, but wow, what a difference a little praise made! I think the sincerity made a difference too. People can smell horse manure a mile away, so make sure when you give praise, you mean it.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

this could be approached in a staff meeting in a general sense. Maybe everyone needs to consider work loads and expectations, etc. Then, once that is out in the open, if anyone is not fulfilling expectations the manager needs to be told.

Specializes in Registered Nurse.

Funny, I have been in this situation with one of my "teams" in the past, as a Supervisor. Thinking of your reply, I know if I had brought this up in a team meeting, it would have gotten nowhere. I had private meetings with the DON, and it went nowhere. My higher ups were not supportive. There didn't seem to be any answers. Sometimes it is like that. Sometimes, later, as team members come and go, things straighten out for that institution/unit/facility, but it may not be for a long time...and a person might have to stick it out... the only other choice is to leave.

navyguyhm3

51 Posts

Specializes in med-surg, urgent care, emergency med.

Very difficult subject indeed. Here's my take...let them do as they do, eventually it will get noticed, either by them making a mistake which can cost them their job/license or a patient complaining. You can always suggest to a patient to fill out a comment card about the care & services or lack thereof and by whom. Your hard work will pay off while the lazy bums mumble and grumble. Good is always noticed less that the bad, so I'm pretty sure there are eyes watching them.

No matter where you go, there will always be those who work and those who don't. Can't really do anything about it. The best thing to do is to carry on with your job. Things will always come around and play out. Just give it time. I highly suggest the comment cards...it's work wonders for me=-)

It can be frustrating to work in an environment where any one person is not pulling their own weight. We already work in conditions where there may not be enough staff to begin with. Sometimes I think it is particularly difficult for the LPN when their role is not clearly defined. To me an LPN is a natural bridge between the aide and RN. Unfortuneatly, when you are sandwiched between these two levels of nursing - there is a lot of gray territory.

As an LPN, I can tell you that our title alone is under appreciated. I work with many strong LPNs and feel that I am one as well. But in LTC, I feel that our positions are much more clearly defined and the expectations are obvious.

If someone (aide, LPN, or RN) is not meeting the expectations - refer the matter to the education department. Once identified, our education RN will work with individual. Instead of jumping to the "lazy" statement, find a way to enable the other person to do better and possibly yourself.

Specializes in Registered Nurse.

I have definitely worked with people I could say were lazy. It doesn't take long to figure out. i.e., When the staff member leaves the unit many times during a shift (much more than reg. breaks) or when the staff member hides in an empty room to use their cell phone and is not working most of the time in between. You can write them up and report them, but if there is no backing from the DON or the DON wants to baby the employee, thinking *that* might help, a person who is trying to do the right thing for the patient and can't watch it anymore might leave. (I must admit the above example was not a LPN or RN). Just sayin'.

sapphire18

1,082 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

Wait, is the one that's pregnant the same one going out for endless smoke breaks??

Sorry for the OT..carry on

giveface

77 Posts

I think for me the frustration comes in where it is well known that a certain nurse (be it either category) is very lazy, the nurse manager is well aware and anything documented just falls on deaf ears.

Lazy people may come in all shapes and sizes but it seems like LPN's have a chip on their shoulder. Maybe an inferiority complex?! I know that LPN's go on and on about how they are a nurse too and blah blah blah. LPN's may not be " mine" but they do belong to the patients. Just as much as I belong to my patient. I AM THEIR NURSE. It is my responsibly to care and advocate for them and if LPN's or CNA's aren't doing what needs to be done to help their patients, I'm gonna say something to the lazy workers!

Specializes in Corrections.
Lazy people may come in all shapes and sizes but it seems like LPN's have a chip on their shoulder. Maybe an inferiority complex?! I know that LPN's go on and on about how they are a nurse too and blah blah blah.

:facepalm: Wow, I really hope you are not in any charge position. To demoralize and insult your fellow NURSES, you should be ashamed. You are one of many reasons LPN's do not get the respect as being part of the healthcare team. Shame on you, and shame on any one crazy enough to put you on their nursing team.

:cautious:

The LPN's make their bed, they should lay in it. It's not just them though, its all allied health care. Registered nurses get the most respect than another profession. society has made it that way, not me. I'm a registered respiratory therapist, I know what it's like to be down graded by nurses. I'm in nursing school now, so I'm gonna get the best and worst of both worlds. However, I am a respected RT. people want me on their team. I take pride in what I do. I dont let the fact that I'm " just a RT" crush myself esteem cause people have higher degrees AND pay than I do!!

hyperwalk

3 Posts

Definitely not trying to make this an RN-LPN thing, but this sounds just like our floor, only in reverse. Two of our 3 RNs apparently have a "my patient, your patient" attitude, and will literally sit and spin in their chairs before helping a patient when an LPN is running to and fro. If you ask them to help, they will look at you like you asked them to take over the rest of your shift.They do not believe in teamwork, and the charge nurse actually said, after being questioned by another Rn regarding assigning me a 7th patient when the RNs had only 2 or 3 each "That's the way we do our LPN's". Fortunately I work with some great LPNs and we team up to help each other out.

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