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RN refusing MA assignment



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No. 10
Old Apr 26, 2009, 09:35 PM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
There are plenty of doctor's offices without MA's also however I see the other side..if she can do both, why hire another? Perhaps a definite time can be discussed for help? This would allow team help but also asure her it won't be permanent?
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No. 11
from LuLu2008
Old Apr 26, 2009, 10:22 PM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
Your problem nurse sounds like somebody I would not like to work with for several reasons. She needs a reality check and attitude adjustment. Does your practice somehow reward for productivity (e.g. income?)-- I think profit sharing would help keep people motivated to pitch in for one another as team members.
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No. 12
from cookienay
Old Apr 26, 2009, 10:32 PM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
OK, maybe this is just because I beat my head against the wall dealing with crap like this where I work as well- but this is 100% crap.
1- the above mentioned tasks do fall into her scope of practice regardless of where she is licensed. Tell her to put her big girl panties on and get those vitals.
2-She is failing to perform her job as directed by her superior (I am assuming this since the OP indicates she had the authority to terminate an employee.)
3-We are hired to fulfill a need for our employers, not the other way around. If we cannot fulfill those needs, our employers may wish to find another who will.
4-It is in an employee's best interest to serve the best interest of the employer. Where I work- it is called "other duties as assigned".


Please forgive the rant. Not trying to flame- I promise. It is just hard not to respond when we have to feel bad about asking people to do their jobs or to pitch in during a rough patch. It is called being a team player and is vital in any workplace. Just my two cents...
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No. 13
from TuTonka
Old Apr 27, 2009, 12:04 AM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
Hmmm has anyone thought that possibly this nurse is unsure of herself and instead of chopping her head off for not being a team player someone MIGHT ask her why she really feels this way? If she has been out of clinical nursing that long she might have a insecurity problem. How about being a team player and find out her side also? ORRRRRRRRRRRRR encourage her to discuss these feelings? I have found there are often reasons for people to act out as she did. Heck she may even become a good team member if someone makes an effort to include her feelings and fears. What may seem unfair today could be a missed opportunity to help a nurse in need. Just a thought.


TuTonka
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No. 14
from azhiker96
Old Apr 27, 2009, 01:04 AM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
I'm a PACU nurse and recovering patients is my top priority. However, I have also restocked blanket warmers, cleaned stretchers, restocked work stations, emptied foleys/drains for other nurses, and other "tech" duties when we were short on techs. I think it's about being a team player, helping out so that our unit runs as smoothly as possible. There are other nurses who do as I do. There are also some who sit and surf the internet or read a book rather than help out. I've noticed, those of us who do help others are a little slower to help those who don't. Karma works.
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No. 15
from azhiker96
Old Apr 27, 2009, 01:15 AM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
Originally Posted by TuTonka View Post
Hmmm has anyone thought that possibly this nurse is unsure of herself and instead of chopping her head off for not being a team player someone MIGHT ask her why she really feels this way? If she has been out of clinical nursing that long she might have a insecurity problem.
TuTonka
So after being a triage nurse (or whatever field of nursing) for 35 years she is unsure of herself for "getting weights, blood pressures, stand by assist if needed. Clean the rooms."? I don't buy that. How long would it take to retrain her to operate weight scales, take blood pressures, clean a room and assist as directed? I bet I could take someone off the street and have them functioning pretty quickly on all of these.

I do agree that it would be good to ask her why she feels she can't do these things. My bet is that it's either beneath her or that she'd have to spend more time doing things rather than enjoying the downtime between triage calls.
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No. 16
from featherzRN
Old Apr 27, 2009, 05:59 AM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
I agree that she can and should do these things. I've done them many times as an RN working in an outpatient setting when the MA is out.

However, in one of my UNION outpatient clinics they would slot RN's into MA slots quite often and apparently the union came in and put a stop to that. We had per diem RN's show up to work and find out they were an MA for the day.

Not exactly sure why the union ruled that way, as nothing was done that was not in the RN scope of practice. Those of us that filled in as an MA just requested to be put with the docs that saw walk-in cases, not the ones that did a lot of specialized procedures that required an assistant with knowledge of where the equipment should be placed, etc. Rooming a patient, taking VS/EKG and standing in as chaperone is not a big deal.
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No. 17
from morte
Old Apr 27, 2009, 06:26 AM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
Originally Posted by featherzRN View Post
I agree that she can and should do these things. I've done them many times as an RN working in an outpatient setting when the MA is out.

However, in one of my UNION outpatient clinics they would slot RN's into MA slots quite often and apparently the union came in and put a stop to that. We had per diem RN's show up to work and find out they were an MA for the day.

Not exactly sure why the union ruled that way, as nothing was done that was not in the RN scope of practice. Those of us that filled in as an MA just requested to be put with the docs that saw walk-in cases, not the ones that did a lot of specialized procedures that required an assistant with knowledge of where the equipment should be placed, etc. Rooming a patient, taking VS/EKG and standing in as chaperone is not a big deal.
i would think the union put a stop to this, to protect the MA's......
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No. 18
from LHH1996
Old Apr 27, 2009, 08:08 AM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
i think she is being rediculous..
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No. 19
from lovelylpn
Old Apr 27, 2009, 09:55 AM

Default Re: RN refusing MA assignment
That nurse just doesn't want to be a team player. Any nurse should be well able to get vitals and check weights. I work in an ICU and I take vitals, weights, straighten up my rooms, restock nurse server carts, assist doctors with procedures or just round with them, and many other tasks on a daily basis and none of this make me feel any less of a nurse; these duties are not a "step down" from any other nursing duties. As long is that wasn't a long term situation and the RN is not being referred to as an MA, I don't see the issue.
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