The line that makes me want to hurt someone, aka 'That's not my job!'

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

I don't know what it is about the holidays that makes everyone so frickin self centered, but I swear, if I hear this line uttered in my presence ONE MORE TIME I will scream. I really will.

Outside of scope issues, there is no reason to be saying this.

Acceptable alternatives, if true?

'I am swamped right now, I really can't do that.'

'I seriously don't know how to do that, and this needs to be done quicker than the time it would take for me to learn.'

'I already attempted it and failed. Someone else needs to do it'

Yes, we as nurses have a bajillion things to do and TPTB keep piling on extra things to do and extra forms to fill out. But I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone sitting at the nurses station, watching videos or socializing on Facebook, and when told about something like oh, their patient on Golyte not making it to the bathroom and having a code brown on the floor, answer 'I'll call housekeeping, that's not my job'.

In the meantime, their pt has to deal with the shame of losing control of their bowels on the floor. See the faces of people who walk by and wrinkle their noses. I mean, I'm not saying you should go sanitize the room, but clean most of it with a towel or something, your patient and their dignity will be thankful.

Or, let's say your pt has a stat lab to be done at 2am. You go draw those since it's quicker than waiting for phleb to come, right? Right?! And when you do that, you check and see if your patient also has regularly scheduled labs in the morning, cuz hey, you might as well draw those, save your patient an extra stick and save phleb extra work when they are responsible for a heck load more patients. Right?!?! Nah, you might as well leave those stat labs to be drawn with the regular labs, because phleb is coming later, and that's NOT YOUR JOB.

You know what happens when you do things you think are not your job(but really, they are)? First, your patient appreciates it. They have a competent nurse who cares more about their well-being than about socializing or making a point. Second, your colleagues appreciate it. They appreciate that you respect them, and that you saved them unnecessary work. And you know, they tend to return the favor. I've had phleb come show me a thing or two, because seriously, I swear I've seen those girls draw blood from a stone a time or two.

I just...ugh...seems like every day, for more and more reasons, I just keep thinking 'I don't want to live on this planet anymore'. Because people are just becoming poopier and poopier (you get what I'm saying). Please, put your big girl panties on, grow a pair, whatever is appropriate. Then shut the hell up and do the work. Even if it's 'not your frickin job'!!!!!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

When I was a manager..."That's not my job" was forbidden to be used as an excuse.

((HUGS))

The last few years I too have grown more and more frustrated by the lees is more behavior and what seems tro be selfish and lazy attitudes amongst staff....sigh.

I just teach my children better.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Oops, put this in emergency thread by mistake. Just can't seem to get used to the phone app. Could one of you kind mods please send this over to general discussion? I'd be ever so grateful!! Oh, and Merry Christmas!!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

LOLOLOL....sure!

Done....Merry Christmas!

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Really, it's the support staff (like phlebotomy, housekeeping and maintenance) who are the ones that play the "not my job" card the most. Way more than nursing.

We can't really use that line, 'cause everything is nursing's job.

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

What frustrates me is the outright lie. I tried to take blood but failed - I take them in with me to assess their skill - palpate a vein etc quiz the pt where is the best place to go. Then they have to admit that they didn't do it because they know I would get the blood.

First for pity sake! How are you going to get get your skills up if you don't practice?

Second don't lie

Third with the older pets with a complex history they know their good spots for bleeding.

Fourth after I I have told you off don't go and ask the educator to do it. She and I talk you know!

I am more than happy to help but at attempt the task or admit you don't know - don't lie.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I think nursing as a whole needs to learn to say "That's not my job," more. It's the martyr attitude that nursing has that leads to nurses cleaning bathrooms while patient care suffers.

[SwansonRN]

I think nursing as a whole needs to learn to say "That's not my job" more. It's the martyr attitude that nursing has that leads to nurses cleaning bathrooms while patient care suffers.[/quote']

Yup!!

[DoeRN]

I think nursing as a whole needs to learn to say "That's not my job" more. It's the martyr attitude that nursing has that leads to nurses cleaning bathrooms while patient care suffers.[/quote']

I agree!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I think nursing as a whole needs to learn to say "That's not my job," more. It's the martyr attitude that nursing has that leads to nurses cleaning bathrooms while patient care suffers.

I agree. There are some scenarios when that's a completely appropriate response. I (no exaggeration) once had an Attending MD stop me in the hallway and say "where is my interpreter for room 18?" And I said "I have no idea, that's not my patient." And then he said "well I need an interpreter, can you arrange that?" (I don't remember what he specifically said but it wasn't that nice.) Sorry, no. I am NOT your secretary and I'm busy- you know- actually taking care of patients. There was no reason why someone on the team- between the Attending, NP, Sr. Resident and Jr Resident- couldn't page the interpreter himself. I don't know their schedule and I refuse to take part in the whole "nurse is doctor's hand-maid" role. Same goes for things like "I need this copied, faxed, I need to read the patient's chart." I'm happy to tell you where the copy machine, fax machine or patient's chart is but, again, I'm not a secretary.

[Caffeine_IV]

I have very rarely heard nurses say that phrase because mostly everything gets dumped on us. From room not being clean to the quality of the food.

More commonly I would hear...that's not my patient.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Which still grates on my nerves....they are all of our patients.