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| No. 20 | 
Apr 27, 2009, 09:18 AM
 Re: RN refusing MA assignment
Think about the paradox in this argument. RN's are quickly having their scope of practice eroded by LPN's as well as people with very little education being "delegated" to do tasks that used to be the province of RN's only. Follow the money, and when a facility can hire an unskilled person to perform a task at $8 per hour why should they pay more for a skilled, licensed person? Some of the people in doctor's offices have no training except what the doctor gives them and that is perfectly legal.
Having said that, the triage nurse is lucky to have a job requiring skilled knowledge and judgment. When she needs to pitch in to do other tasks that the MA normally does, that just goes with the territory. She needs to be grateful that the doctor does not replace HER with a MA that the doctor trains and who will receive a fraction of her salary.
 | | Advertisement Sponsored Links | | | | No. 21 |
Apr 27, 2009, 10:13 AM
Re: RN refusing MA assignment
Thanks to all for the kind replies. This is my point. Regardless of our position, you do what ever it takes to get the job done and take care of your patients. As the NP/supervisor, if have stepped it and helped out on the floor when the girls need the help. When I walk down the hall, I will help clean the rooms. If in the bathroom, I will tidy it up. It is not beneath me to do so. I don't say that to give kudos to myself, its just that's the nurse in me just like its the nurse in you. I can understand not wanting to float in hospitals to other units that are beyond skill sets but even then, when I worked in peds and was floated to ICU I was given the easiest patient, not the one with the vent/swanz etc. She is supposed to be my backup and I am hers. Yet, I can and do back her, bet she never can back me up. She refuses to do catheters, IV's, give methotrexate (RN only). Leaves these things to me. The docs need to make a decision.
| | No. 22 |
Apr 27, 2009, 10:19 AM
Re: RN refusing MA assignment Originally Posted by azhiker96  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.
You're an excellent nurse. I will be a new grad soon and this is the way I see myself being as well. Even as a student I don't mind emptying trash cans for pts., helping techs do " tech" duty for patients that are not under my care, and etc.
There is no I and team !
| | No. 23 |
Apr 27, 2009, 11:51 AM
Re: RN refusing MA assignment
Inexcuseable!
The office flow for the day is the priority and she needs to get her big lazy behind out of that chair or hit the street.
I say this as an RN who spent a decade as an office nurse in Ob/Gyn.
| | No. 24 |
Apr 27, 2009, 11:55 AM
Re: RN refusing MA assignment
You are not out of line in your expectations. That nurse needs to get in touch with reality. I am sure that you could find an RN who would love to have an office job and who would do what is expected of her/him. Your office does not need dead weight.
| | No. 25 |
Apr 27, 2009, 11:55 AM
Re: RN refusing MA assignment
Shoot, I am an RN at a middle school. Sometimes, you see me sitting up front covering for the secretary! No big deal as long as it does not interfere with my resposibilities as the nurse! Yes, if it became a problem......then, I would speak up!
AND......... a big part of my job is heights, weights, and blood pressures. Well within my scope as an RN. I have never felt these tasks were "beneath" me.
| | No. 26 |
Apr 27, 2009, 12:11 PM
Re: RN refusing MA assignment Originally Posted by LuLu2008 Think about the paradox in this argument. RN's are quickly having their scope of practice eroded by LPN's as well as people with very little education being "delegated" to do tasks that used to be the province of RN's only. Follow the money, and when a facility can hire an unskilled person to perform a task at $8 per hour why should they pay more for a skilled, licensed person? Some of the people in doctor's offices have no training except what the doctor gives them and that is perfectly legal.
Having said that, the triage nurse is lucky to have a job requiring skilled knowledge and judgment. When she needs to pitch in to do other tasks that the MA normally does, that just goes with the territory. She needs to be grateful that the doctor does not replace HER with a MA that the doctor trains and who will receive a fraction of her salary.
Great point! Instead of being upset - she could use the opportunity to show off the difference between an MA and an RN. We know the WHY of taking a blood pressure and the impact an abnormally high or low reading can have. Plus, we know what quick interventions can be taken to lower or raise said blood pressure. No offense at all to MA's ( I was one in another life).
| | No. 27 |
Apr 27, 2009, 02:11 PM
Re: RN refusing MA assignment Originally Posted by TuTonka 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
It is the RN's responsibility to do whatever it takes to keep up all his/her skills to maintain the license. There are refresher courses offered all over the States. It is part of the license to be able to perform any duties listed under their licensure. If this "nurse" states she is uncomfortable performing duties of a nurse then she should havea deadline as to how long she has to brush up her skills or be reported to the Board of Nursing.
All the duties you have states are basic duties for CNAs and LPNs... you are not asking the nurse to do a physical exam--- which is in her line of licensure. Sounds like she has an attitude that needs to have an adjustment into what the TEAM means. If one nurse calls in sick- the patients are still there and must be cared for. Can the ER close just because one called in sick... NO! Nurses are suppose to be team-players.
I think you need to sit the entire team down and divide up the tasks that the missing person would have done so it doesn't fall completely on one person and everybody on the team understands that itwill be a matter of working together to get through the temporary shortage.
Finally a Thank You when the team players does survive goes a long way to the next time it occurs.
| | No. 29 |
Apr 28, 2009, 09:47 AM
Re: RN refusing MA assignment
In reply to some of the messages I have received- We have no union here. While she was asked to fill in as an MA, that was the only position she was expected to fulfill at the time. Me, however, as the NP/Supervisor, filled in as the triage nurse for her, AND saw my patients as well AND served as my own MA (cleaning my own rooms, filling out lab slips, washing specs etc.). We always have had an RN/LVN in the role of triage and MA's to assist the docs. Where I came from in the west, no MA's, only RN's/LVN's in the office setting. It took getting used to MA's. If I can, at times, I clear my schedule and assist the docs. I enjoy it. Change of pace, but I don't like to inconvenience patients. Makes more sense on those RARE occasions for her to fill in rather than me.
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