Advice for student nurse/PCT

[nutara]

I have been working nights as a Patient-care-tech (PCT) and have been facing some barriers while giving report to the day-shift PCT's. Was wondering if anyone had any advice to give.

Problem 1: any time I have a task that is left over or I didn't get to for some reason a particular PCT gets very difficult and will not only accept the task but demands a reason why the task isn't done. Everytime I give report to her she gives me a hassle and I am just watching the clock tick by. I feel perhaps this may be due to a personal issue of some sort; however, it is wasting my time when she does this and really would like this immature behavior of her to stop. Does anyone have advice on clever things to say so she gets the point to knock it off? Today she raised her voice at me.

It is funny this situation happened today because another PCT sort of yelled/ raised her voice last week when I asked her to repeat herself. I am trying to put two and two together to see what I can do better, like not being so passive. I have never had a problem with having another employee raise their voice at me before and now it has happened twice. Should I mention something to the supervisor? It just doesn't seem right to me that people are treating eachother like this. I certainly don't appreciate it. Perhaps some tips on being more assertive would help! I am so new to this!

I really do like my job there since it is helping me out with my bills while I am in nursing school, plus I will be doing my MED SURG II rotation there and want to keep a "clean slate" with all the staff there. So I am real careful about the things I say..but believe me, my mind is sure thinking other things. I have a feeling I am not alone in my situation or my thoughts. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts nurses and CNA's!

-Tara

[avery]

Hi Tara,

Can you please explain with a few more details? Like what it was that did not get done? That may help to shed more light on the situation.

Avery

[dragonflyRN]

Try and change your clinical rotation. Never a good idea to do it on a floor you work on. At my school it was prohibited. Speak your mind. It sounds like these people are walking all over you. Stop being so nice to the coworkers that are not so nice to you. I know that it is easier said than done. I struggle with it sometimes...

[katfishLPN]

i have been working nights as a patient-care-tech (pct) and have been facing some barriers while giving report to the day-shift pct's. was wondering if anyone had any advice to give.

problem 1: any time i have a task that is left over or i didn't get to for some reason a particular pct gets very difficult and will not only accept the task but demands a reason why the task isn't done. everytime i give report to her she gives me a hassle and i am just watching the clock tick by. i feel perhaps this may be due to a personal issue of some sort; however, it is wasting my time when she does this and really would like this immature behavior of her to stop. does anyone have advice on clever things to say so she gets the point to knock it off? today she raised her voice at me.

it is funny this situation happened today because another pct sort of yelled/ raised her voice last week when i asked her to repeat herself. i am trying to put two and two together to see what i can do better, like not being so passive. i have never had a problem with having another employee raise their voice at me before and now it has happened twice. should i mention something to the supervisor? it just doesn't seem right to me that people are treating eachother like this. i certainly don't appreciate it. perhaps some tips on being more assertive would help! i am so new to this!

i really do like my job there since it is helping me out with my bills while i am in nursing school, plus i will be doing my med surg ii rotation there and want to keep a "clean slate" with all the staff there. so i am real careful about the things i say..but believe me, my mind is sure thinking other things. i have a feeling i am not alone in my situation or my thoughts. looking forward to hearing your thoughts nurses and cna's!

-tara

i always remind the staff i supervise that this is a 24 hour a day job when they start complaining that so and so didn't do such and such. that quiets them down in a hurry.

[futurernfarmer]

Coworkers are like all other people, some are great and some are mean/lazy/etc. Chances are, if you're concerned about issues like being passive, you aren't being lazy, just busy. Things occasionally get passed to the next shift. Your coworker knows this. That isn't to say you shouldn't stay late to finish your charting or emptying linen and trash bags if that's your responsibility. That is expected, but if it's a stool sample when the pt didn't have a BM or you had a difficult shift and couldn't get all baths or lab draws done, that's reasonable to leave for the next shift. Just like in the rest of life, try to give more than you take. If you feeling like you're giving and still getting attitude, I would politically bring it up to your manager. Be specific, and specify that you want to be on good terms with everyone and you're seeking advice, not necessarily a reprimand. Probably, your unit director is already aware of the problem people.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

"When you can lower your voice, and speak to me as an adult, and co-worker I'll be glad to listen. Until then, I'm giving you report and then I will be going home. If you feel this needs to be discussed with the charge nurse or unit manager, let's arrange a time to do so." and SMILE the whole time you're talking. You've said nothing inappropriate, haven't lowered yourself to their level (by raising their voice to an adult-- big problem w/that one), and offered to find a solution.

OR you can laugh in their face, walk off, and have a terrible clinical (and what nursing program lets you decide your clinical rotation? )

Just an idea

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

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