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Specialties LTAC

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We have two new twenty-somethings that just graduated a few months ago from nursing school who are our supervisors, yes-they are supervisors of nurses who have been nurses 8-10 years. All they do is complain for a full 8 hours, not exaggerating. They never had another job in their life and expect everything to be perfect at the end of the shift when they take over. If not, they expect the previous shift to stay and complete "their" work. All we get is bratty back talk as soon as they come in. God-forbid they have to get a stool sample that was not able to be obtained or a dressing that was unable to be done because the pt was in an activity. With them there is no 24/7 and it is causing some of us to stay much later and getting in trouble from overtime. We are now starting to document everything in writing to the ADON but it does not help.

Anyone have any suggestions out there?

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Just tell them your shift is over, nursing is 24/7, you've communicated what needs to be done to the oncoming nurse, have a good night/day! And then LEAVE. I mean it -- your shift is over and they can't compel you to stay. By staying when they tell you to, they are made to believe that they can.

If you're getting in trouble for OT, I'm guessing the higher ups agree with you.

As for the complaining, sometimes ignoring it helps, and sometimes you just have to call them out on it. "Complaining doesn't get the work done," "we're not accomplishing anything here, and my shift is over/I have work to do," or if they have to help with tasks "Hey, it's the perfect opportunity to practice your brand new nursing skills! Don't want to lose those! :up:"

They do sound obnoxious. There's a bunch of those motivational posters on the wall at a local middle school, and one of my favorite quotes on one is "Leadership is action, not position."

Maybe you and your fellow floor nurses should take up a collection and buy them copies -- :laugh:

Leading at The Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition: Dennis N.T. Perkins, Margaret P. Holtman, Jillian B. Murphy: 9780814431948: Amazon.com: Books

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Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

I can't imagine what kind of disaster your place of employment is if you've got management that uses fresh grads as supervisors instead of experienced nurses. That being said, they're bratty because it's tolerated. Demonstrate the professionalism they seem to lack, but don't let them push you around.

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I would guess that your facility is LTC, not LTAC.

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