Please teach me how to "boss" coworkers around.

vbarger28, BSN · Dec 12, 2015

You need to be assertive. There is a major difference between being assertive and a jerk though. For how to handle the nurse with no time management, you can say something like this for example: "I need Mr. Jone's shower done by 8:00 this morning. Can you complete this task by then?"

This way, you give her the oportunity to get it done in a timely manor, and have given her an option to have you re-assign that patient task. That way if she says yes, and doesn't get it done, it is not on you, and you don't look like a meany. You assertively gave her a delegated task, and gave her the chance to say whether she can do it or not.

Also, check in with them. See if there is an underlying reason why things aren't getting done, then when you can report back to your management, you can show proof that you gave her a fair chance to speak up if something was not enough time, and you have proof that you checked in on the progress to assess for any issues with the task that may be preventing her to complete it in a timely manor. ( like, is Mr jones combative during showers? Is the hot water taking too long to run because something in the facility is broken?)

And if you have done all this, and find no objective reason/proof that she cannot get the task done by the time you asked, and frequently does this, you have grounds to write up or have a preformance review without being pinned as the jerk :)

loriangel14, RN · Dec 12, 2015

First of all yelling at people doesn't work. Would you like to be yelled at by a superior? It's disrespectful and unprofessional. Her poor time management does need to be addressed. How long has she been a PSW? Can you give her a task and then check on her frequently so see how she is progressing? At my workplace we had a PSW with similar issues. She was put back on orientation for 3 shifts so she could buddy up with someone and learn how to work efficiently.

klone, MSN, RN · Dec 12, 2015

Is her problem that she's slow, or is her problem that she's insubordinate?

If it's the former, then maybe you need to assist her in learning how to do things in a more efficient, expeditious manner.

If it's the latter, then you need to start following the disciplinary chain of command each time this happens.

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 12, 2015

First, it's delegate, not boss around. You need to be firm with this person, not "Could you" but "I need you to". If becoming assertive doesn't work, you need to document and go up the chain of command.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Dec 12, 2015

Don't ask and don't dictate. Guide. Easier said than done :)

not2bblue · Dec 13, 2015

Say "here is what I need you to do and by this time. If you aren't able to finish by 8 (whatever )you need to let me know." And then ask why she had trouble. Maybe she is learning how to do the job, just as you are learning to do yours. Maybe she has a pt that talks and talks to her, making her late. Maybe she is lazy. Keep notes on how often all of the staff has difficulty making deadlines and council appropriately. Go up the chain or follow policy about discipline. Having specific examples of deficiencies are better than generalities like "you always are late". Be fair, not mean. Don't ask "can you" unless it is extra to the assignments, this is the job, of course they CAN do it. And no, don't yell. This is not your child, it is an adult employee. And employees come and go so concentrate on being sure the job is done. Honestly, I have found that when those I have delegated to like me and know I am fair and open but I am not a pushover, they are far more willing to do what I ask.

jennibeans · Dec 13, 2015

Thank you all for the responses!

It's really difficult in my work place - I'm the only nurse working on my shift and the only other staff member working is E, so if she doesn't do it, I have to. And I've got 45 other residents that I'm watching over, doing meds for, doing assessments on, preventing wandering into the adjacent neighbourhood etc. Makes it really difficult to be the one also providing bedside care like showers.

I will definitely be keeping all of these tips in mind, though. Especially the point made about the yelling, it is unprofessional and uncalled for, but it's so so frustrating to be working with her in these conditions..

Excuses, excuses..

Thanks guys!

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · Dec 20, 2015

Only you and one aide for 45 people? Yikes, that is brutal! Unfortunately there can be many reasons why this PSW is so very slow at the job and you are correct, 2+ hours for a shower is ridiculously slow. If it is a matter of laziness, which does happen sometimes, there is nothing you will be able to do short of kicking it up the ladder for escalating discipline. If it is a matter of needing more education, maybe asking management for some additional training might help. Then there are some aides that are good at their job but naturally function at a slower pace. If this is the case can this PSW be reassigned to a different shift or a different assignment? Some of our aides just don't do well with time management on a very busy AM shift but function very well on a usually slower pace night shift.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2015

Only you and one aide for 45 people? Yikes, that is brutal! Unfortunately there can be many reasons why this PSW is so very slow at the job and you are correct, 2+ hours for a shower is ridiculously slow. If it is a matter of laziness, which does happen sometimes, there is nothing you will be able to do short of kicking it up the ladder for escalating discipline. If it is a matter of needing more education, maybe asking management for some additional training might help. Then there are some aides that are good at their job but naturally function at a slower pace. If this is the case can this PSW be reassigned to a different shift or a different assignment? Some of our aides just don't do well with time management on a very busy AM shift but function very well on a usually slower pace night shift.

I hope they're not napping all shift and neglecting q2h rounds to keep patients clean and dry and turned.

OP - is she old and in pain from her back, shoulders, knees, etc.? But if she can't do the job, this needs to be made known to the bosses. You need her or someone who replaces her to do the work of the PSW so you can do the Nurse's tasks.

Is she working 2 jobs and getting insufficient sleep?

Whatever her reasons for being so slow, it has to stop.

How long has she been there? Maybe she does need more training? Good luck.

Do not yell. It will throw YOU out of synchrony.

Address her frankly and directly about the problem and see what she says, then go from there.

Being a leader, a charge nurse is not easy. But you can learn it. Best wishes.

elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 27, 2015

the only solution i can think of is, if you want something done, don't ask. You only ask children to do something. It sounds like your coworker is taking advantage of the fact that she knows you're one to be pushed over so she takes her time doing simple tasks to do as little work as possible.

So no longer should you say things like "can you have this done by.." or "would you mind". Change your wording to "I need this done by" and "Do this, do this and come back to me". If she continues to take her time, I'd start piling on tasks, so that if she spends an hour or 2 on the same thing, by then I would have already come back to her with several more tasks id like her to complete. If you have the power to reprimand, do so, under the basis that you've asked her to do several tasks that she did not complete. If you're high enough on the foot chain, have a sit down with her explaining your expectations about her ability to competently do her job, and the consequences that may follow not meeting those expectations. If not, speak with whomever is above you that can handle that.