At what point do you say something?

JSBoston · Oct 7, 2011

I would start documenting stuff you can prove and taking it to a manager or higher up.

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 7, 2011

I guess alot depends upon how you're managing to "notice" these things. For instance, how do you know that she's documenting actions that are not actually done? How do you know for a fact that she's "not following through?"

Lazy can be easily observed. The other examples that you've used not so much, or at least not without some serious investigative work. Just curious as to how you and apparently your co-workers are managing to notice so much about your co-worker's work habits.

eyeball · Oct 7, 2011

I guess alot depends upon how you're managing to "notice" these things. For instance, how do you know that she's documenting actions that are not actually done? How do you know for a fact that she's "not following through?"
Lazy can be easily observed. The other examples that you've used not so much, or at least not without some serious investigative work. Just curious as to how you and apparently your co-workers are managing to notice so much about your co-worker's work habits.

My thoughts exactly...I'm too busy to notice how other nurses are performing their jobs. The only thing that catches my notice is that some nurses seem to sit around and have time to chat a lot..something I never have time for.

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2011

One of the nurses that I work with is flat out lazy and inherently unsafe. Not documenting appropriatly (or at all), documenting things that were "done" without actually doing them, making errors, authorizing things that should not be authorized, not following through, etc. This is a daily occurance, and I am not the only one who has noticed.
At what point do you say something? Do you suck it up and deal? Is there a way to approach the situation gently without making an enemy? By not saying anything, I feel somewhat responsible- like I am allowing it to continue to happen. On the other hand, I don't want to say anything and nothing change, except for having ****** someone off.
Has anyone ever been in the same situation? Thoughts?

Immediately. You have already let it go on for too long. If the pawpaw hits the fan and a patient comes to harm as a result of your co-worker's acts of commission or omission, you are equally guilty; by keeping quiet, you become an accessory after the fact.

I guess alot depends upon how you're managing to "notice" these things. For instance, how do you know that she's documenting actions that are not actually done? How do you know for a fact that she's "not following through?"
Lazy can be easily observed. The other examples that you've used not so much, or at least not without some serious investigative work. Just curious as to how you and apparently your co-workers are managing to notice so much about your co-worker's work habits.

Excellent question. Before leveling any accusations, make sure you've got all your ducks in a row.

loveslife · Oct 7, 2011

All RN's have a duty to report unsafe practice. Therefore, you need to approach your supervisor and let her know what is going on.

PediNurse3 · Oct 7, 2011

I guess alot depends upon how you're managing to "notice" these things. For instance, how do you know that she's documenting actions that are not actually done? How do you know for a fact that she's "not following through?"
Lazy can be easily observed. The other examples that you've used not so much, or at least not without some serious investigative work. Just curious as to how you and apparently your co-workers are managing to notice so much about your co-worker's work habits.

My thoughts exactly...I'm too busy to notice how other nurses are performing their jobs. The only thing that catches my notice is that some nurses seem to sit around and have time to chat a lot..something I never have time for.

I understand what you're saying, and I know this because I sit next to her. We work in a clinic, and in pretty tight quarters, so it's not like we are on the unit in the hospital with our own patient assignments and I'm doing some sort of detective work. We can have one of three assignments daily (doing intakes before the physican goes in, answering the nurse/refill line & returning those calls, or working on our own doctor's stuff- calling parents about lab results, changes that need to be made, etc. Some days no matter what you're assigned to do, you wind up doing all three :lol2: ). I literally see her document that she has spoken to the parents in the room, reviewed medications , etc without getting up. Additionally, we (myself and the other nurses) have bear the brunt of angry and concerned parents that call and say that they spoke to her and wonder why nobody has gotten back to them with an answer from the physician...and it's because there is no documentation that the call ever took place. As far as the other things- the ball has been dropped by her on many occasions, and the evidence is in the electronic signature. The reason that I (and the other nurses) know this is because we catch the fallout. She will not even attempt to contact a Spanish speaking family on the phone, and automatically sends them a Spanish letter stating that she has been unable to reach them, with instructions, changes, etc...some of which are pretty urgent. I could go on.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2011

Are the patient/ parent complaints being passed on to the practice manager?