So I am working at a Retirement Home and its going well, I love being the Nurse on the floor, but sometimes they will pull me and say I am gonna be a screener today to screen essential visitors, or one day I will be the Wound Care Nurse, or I will be helping out the Director of Care with their duties, or one time they were so desperate I was folding laundry cause they could not find anyone for the laundry staff. One time I was also a porter, porting Residents to different rooms in the building for infection control.
I don't want to sound mean and say no, but I feel like I lose my dignity as a Nurse. I don't wanna tell people that I screen or that I porter people, I want to just do Nursing related stuff.
I do get paid for all that stuff, but to me I feel like its a waste of my clinical skills. I can't just leave and find work since we are restricted to only 1 workplace at this time, and if I leave this job, its not guaranteed I will find work elsewhere.
I am full time there, but they did say that I will be working different jobs. Not sure if its just me complaining
Specializes in Critical CarE, WOCN, DELEGATION, CASE MANAGEMENT,.
It's true that most job descriptions contain a caveat emptor stating the job description is not meant to be inclusive. I wouldn't however presume to tell anyone to enjoy the change of pace. A more honest approach would be to say that you have a decision to make. Let's face it, in this situation one has to put a smile on their face and suck it up or find another place to work. If you do decide you can't possibly work under these circumstances be aware that a future employer will probably not take kindly if you tell the real reason you left. They will more than likely see you as someone rigid and inflexible when asked to meet the day to day challenges of corporate operations. Make sure you want to be labeled this way before taking that leap.
I've seen nursing home Administrators do the laundry, pass out food trays, clean residents bathrooms, etc., etc. Healthcare "professionals" do what needs to be done when it needs to be done -- this is the role of a leader taking responsibility.
Nurses that "feel" their profession as a nurse is diminished or "disrespected" (whatever that means) when they are called upon to perform simple tasks that are usually performed by non licensed employees, don't have an understanding of "healthcare" team and leadership and should consider changing professions.
The nursing profession doesn't need more nurses that don't have leadership skills.
Specializes in Critical CarE, WOCN, DELEGATION, CASE MANAGEMENT,.
It's true that most job descriptions contain a caveat emptor stating the job description is not meant to be inclusive. I wouldn't however presume to tell anyone to enjoy the change of pace. A more honest approach would be to say that you have a decision to make. Let's face it, in this situation one has to put a smile on their face and suck it up or find another place to work. If you do decide you can't possibly work under these circumstances be aware that a future employer will probably not take kindly if you tell the real reason you left. They will more than likely see you as someone rigid and inflexible when asked to meet the day to day challenges of corporate operations. Make sure you want to be labeled this way before taking that leap.
I have been a RN for 44 years. CNA for 2 years before getting my LPN. Then 5 years later, BSN, 13 years later, MSN (Psych).
I have done all those jobs plus many more. I. always tried to do my best and learn the job well. I always looked for ways to improve efficiency. I spent 8 years as a Navy Nurse, Commissioned Officer (final rank, Lieutenant Commander). I learned that WE did what had to be done, and the most successful, enlisted and officer, were those that accepted the assignment and went at it. Every night the floor in my ICU was cleaned and polished. I ran a buffer many times, for an hour, so Hospital Corpsmen could have a break. The consideration for their value made my teams much more cohesive and efficient in our patient care . So, I fully call every job I do to contribute to the relief and restoration of my patients Nursing Practice.
Take the long view, the Big Picture. by helping keep your facility above water and functioning, you contribute to the mission of patient care. Imagine your patients being scattered to the wind if you shut down. Also, you're out of a job.
When I read your post I heard loud and clear you ARE a nurse, heart and soul. People say to me, "Oh, you work as a male nurse." I respectfully reply not "as a nurse ". I AM a nurse, heart and soul. Started helping my RN mother (Army Cadet Corps trained) at the county hospital when I was 13. Just got better and better as the years go by. Hang in there. Take an attitude of each and every assignment as an opportunity to grow and mature in your practice.
Quick aside.
Strangest job I ever had in my career. On Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Navy Base I was assigned temporarily as Medical Officer to The Tank Platoon! This is normally a Doctor assignment but the Navy had run out of GP's. I was CCRN, and EMT, and teaching classes in trauma response in my previous assignment. Once I acclimated to the tanker and Marine Corps culture my observation was we were all little boys with really great toys. We camped on the beach; took the tanks to the bluffs to the North and I got to participate. and shoot al those great weapons. Talk about team work. My Marines worked together as a single unit and smooth as a Swiss watch.
You never know what experiences await you. Keep your focus and devotion to you patients you have been honored to care for at some of the worst days of their lives. After 40-45 years, the memories of all the good you have done for your fellow man.
I worked in hospitals for 34 years (now part time in a nursing home), but for one year while I worked at the hospital, I was the every other weekend day supervisor for a moderate sized long term care place. One weekend I did laundry (not just folded, I mean washed and dried and then folded) along with the night super because the laundry ladies (two of them) had been out with the flu and we needed clean sheets and towels!
All these duties you describe, especially helping with wound care and helping the director, are just a part of nursing especially when you "do other duties as assigned." And I have a BSN and a MA in something else but it's still not beneath my dignity to do laundry if it's needed and they are in a pinch. I worked so hard (standing for 14 hours, meds and treatments for 28 patients), and charting BY HAND, I would LOVE you job!
Specializes in Critical CarE, WOCN, DELEGATION, CASE MANAGEMENT,.
I've heard all too often that nurses eat their young. Your comments seem harsh in light of the fact that this seems to be an unseasoned nurse seeking direction in her new profession. Not everyone wants to be a leader and being a great follower is fine. Many nurses I worked with for years were fully satisfied staying at the bedside and taking care of patients. I applaud this young nurse for putting herself out there and asking questions. How else can one learn? To say we don't need your kind...well it's just not kind! Yes, WE NEED YOU. WE WANT YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING THE SELFLESS PERSON YOU ARE TO WANT TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE! During your journey you will find it's not the television glamour that's depicted. It's much much harder than that. But you will learn that every one you work beside makes a valuable contribution and you will learn from each other the rest of your days you hopefully remain a nurse. Thank you for your service!
Deborah Cohen, BSN, RN, CNM
12 Posts
It's true that most job descriptions contain a caveat emptor stating the job description is not meant to be inclusive. I wouldn't however presume to tell anyone to enjoy the change of pace. A more honest approach would be to say that you have a decision to make. Let's face it, in this situation one has to put a smile on their face and suck it up or find another place to work. If you do decide you can't possibly work under these circumstances be aware that a future employer will probably not take kindly if you tell the real reason you left. They will more than likely see you as someone rigid and inflexible when asked to meet the day to day challenges of corporate operations. Make sure you want to be labeled this way before taking that leap.