Professionalism....name your irritation here!

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Apr 20, 2015

Fake nails, gum popping, & extreme helplessness (aka too lazy to do anything). Cell phones don't bother me as long as it is discrete.

danceyrun · Apr 20, 2015

Asking me if I need help and then when I tell you what I need help with, you don't help. Why did you even ask me? Or, similarly, sitting around on Pinterest while your coworker is running around like a chicken with their head cut off. Nursing is a team sport.

Farawyn · Apr 20, 2015

When co workers ask you if you need anything with coats on and bags packed.

I usually say Yes just to see the look of dismay.

LobotRN, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2015

Spot on Farawyn! "Can I do anything?" when exiting is a classic! Love it when I say, "yes, you can finish your admission charting and screenings on the patient you admitted 10 hours ago, and please restock your med cart. Thanks!"

dudette10, MSN, RN · Apr 20, 2015

I had never run into a know-it-all new grad until recently. He talks all the time about how he wants to do a research study on an "issue I have identified" in the hospital, and goes on and on about it. At the same time, I pointed out to him that he missed the second EKG on a r/o ACS, and he didn't even blink an eye. "Oh, ok" was the reply. "You need to do it before you leave. You're an hour out from the timeframe right now." "Oh, ok."

"Are you going to do it?"

"Yeah, I'll delegate to the CNA."

"Not a good idea. The night ones want to go home, and the day ones are busy rounding and toileting for the morning. You need to do it."

*sigh* "Oh, ok."

I wanted to say (but didn't), "Concentrate on becoming a competent nurse, instead of trying to impress everyone with your big ideas."

Farawyn · Apr 20, 2015

I had never run into a know-it-all new grad until recently. He talks all the time about how he wants to do a research study on an "issue I have identified" in the hospital, and goes on and on about it. At the same time, I pointed out to him that he missed the second EKG on a r/o ACS, and he didn't even blink an eye. "Oh, ok" was the reply. "You need to do it before you leave. You're an hour out from the timeframe right now." "Oh, ok."
"Are you going to do it?"
"Yeah, I'll delegate to the CNA."
"Not a good idea. The night ones want to go home, and the day ones are busy rounding and toileting for the morning. You need to do it."
*sigh* "Oh, ok."
I wanted to say (but didn't), "Concentrate on becoming a competent nurse, instead of trying to impress everyone with your big ideas."

Ooooh, I saw a similar post like this recently from the new grad's perspective- wonder if it's the same person?

LobotRN, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2015

"Concentrate on becoming a competent nurse, instead of trying to impress everyone with your big ideas."

Actions speak louder than words, eh? Maybe we had the same orientee. My prior one sounds like a relative of your orientee, but my current one has the right attitude, curiosity, and motivation. I have never heard from my current orientee, "oh, ok." in regards to any feedback. Rather, this person says, "I'll get that done right away - or - next time I'll be sure to get it right, thank you." :)

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Apr 20, 2015

Not a new grad issue- but I have a co-worker who applies underarm deodorant in the nursing station every morning.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Apr 20, 2015

Not a new grad issue- but I have a co-worker who applies underarm deodorant in the nursing station every morning.

I guess be glad they are using some?? :)

RNKPCE · Apr 20, 2015

This is a bit of a vent, but a timely one. I love working with a very diverse team on a busy med/surg floor. As we are now in Spring, we have many new orientees and again I have been asked to bring a few of them along as a preceptor. Every year it just strikes me how more and more irritated I get with some basic professional behaviors that normally don't tick me off this bad, but really get my hackles up when I find myself saying to a new nurse "well, the professional way to handle this is..." Sheesh! I shouldn't have to even have that conversation with a new grad when observing behaviors and interactions with our existing staff! Here are my top two for Spring 2015:
1. Our shifts are 0645 - 1915. I have worked nights and days and still CAN'T STAND IT when it comes to being on time for either shift. If you are coming off shift, I get that sometimes patient care delays being ready for report, BUT when you are the oncoming nurse, there is no excuse. "On TIME" means ready to take report right at 0645 or at 1845.. It does not mean, "I clocked in at 0645, but let me set my bag down in our locker room and get my stuff and fill my water bottle/coffee cup/etc."
2. It is isn't appropriate to have your smart phone out on the floor. I don't care if you were using the calculator function, or the drug look up. Those tools are available on our mobile carts and are provided by our employers (which BTW, you SHOULD be using resources provided and approved by your employer per most P&P!) But let's be honest, there is a different "tap" to being on FB, twitter, or texting than there is to using a tool. As a school teacher friend of mine once said to me, "I tell my students that I always know when they are texting on a phone. It just seems unnatural that you have been looking at your own crotch for that long while smiling, smirking, and laughing."
Any others for this spring? Feel free to add on!

I'd love to work with you! These are my pet peeves too! Especially number 2. I started working before cell phones. Mine stays in my bag and I look at it on breaks. The common reason people say they have to carry cell phones is "what if there is an emergency and my husband, kids, parents, dog, turtle needs to reach me" A how about they all have the floor's phone number and if there is a true emergency they can reach you that way. Management knows about he issue but it doesn't seem to matter as they can't be around all the time to police it.

This is not a new grad issue on my floor. Some of our charge nurses are guilty of this, poor role models.

LobotRN, BSN, RN · Apr 20, 2015

Not a new grad issue- but I have a co-worker who applies underarm deodorant in the nursing station every morning.

That's delightful! Agree w/ above that at least it is being used...?

I think your example hits the nail on the head. How do we instill professionalism, especially when existing staff behaves like this? Grrrrr.