Back on the floor after 12 years!

Flying ICU RN · Oct 7, 2010

I'm having a difficult time with this. Any suggestions on how to handle this? I really don't want to start any problems with these folks...but I also don't want any harm to come to my patients

Know your responsibilities, prioritize and fulfill them. This includes prioritizing of tasks of those under your charge and re-directing as necessary in a cool headed and professional manner.

My first year was LTC with several staff under a green RN's charge. The thing about it was that although I was a green RN, I was not a green leader.

Case in point. In re-directing an assistant to a task that was plainly of a higher priority and well within my purview, a complaint was lodged and I was brought before a union proceeding.

After the complainant spoke at length of the perceived ill, both management and the union representative turned to me for my side of the story. To which I replied, "It happened precisely the way she described it."

The moral of the story is that when you well know your responsibilities, you must insist (nicely) that those under your charge follow your lead.

Welcome back to the fray!

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Oct 7, 2010

Keep track of the times they fail and that will become an employment issue for them. I work with one woman in particular who gives attitude every time you ask her to do anything. I just let it roll off. I ask her to do it and ignore her attitude. Unfortunately our (poor) management is aware and does nothing. It is too bad that people can be petty and self centered but all you can do is feel good that you are doing a good job. Good luck.

ukstudent · Oct 7, 2010

Not that they are doing the right thing, bu I want you to look at this from the other side.

Those CNA's are not CNA's they are new RN's that cannot find a nursing job. You, who already had a job, took one of jobs that they could have potentially done. They can not take on the job that you left (case management).

I am sure that you have let your preceptor know how much you like getting back on the floor ans working with pt's. I am also sure that those new nurses that can't find a nursing job have heard this as well. They are probably saying to each other that if you want to be a floor nurse so much, you can have it, but that they are not helping you.

The big green monster of envy has full control. They are mad at you, not at management that picked you over them.

As to what to do. You need to sit down with them. Tell them you understand why they are hurt and mad, but that you did not make the decision to hire you over them as a floor nurse, upper management did. That in order for them to get jobs as nurses, they need to keep up a good impression with the hospital. That they are unlikely to get jobs if the are being disciplined and written up for not doing their current job. Give them clear expectations and if they don't do it, follow through and write them up.

They may hate you, but they need to help you and your patients.

MassED, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2010

I have (and still do) deal with substandard nursing assistants. I try to do what I can for my patients and only ask them for what I need when I absolutely cannot do for myself. I ask them for what I need well ahead of time. I always expect pushback and explain that I am letting them know ahead of time so they can plan. My best advice is to do what you can for your patients, and when the call bell goes off and it's for something that a nursing assistant can provide, have the secretary or whomever call the CNA first, rather than you. You have to delegate and you cannot do it all and some things will wait. Since I work in the ER, I put a BP cuff and sat monitor on most patients for q 2 hours, to avoid the need for a CNA to help with VS. Where I am, CNA's are used for all EKG's, transports, VS, etc, and there are usually only TWO for an entire ER (about 45 beds). You'll find out who you can rely on and who will do their job, just as you'll learn those who do not want to work and will not help you. Of course that goes for nurses and any other occupation. Good luck on your return!

MassED, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2010

Not that they are doing the right thing, bu I want you to look at this from the other side.
Those CNA's are not CNA's they are new RN's that cannot find a nursing job. You, who already had a job, took one of jobs that they could have potentially done. They can not take on the job that you left (case management).
I am sure that you have let your preceptor know how much you like getting back on the floor ans working with pt's. I am also sure that those new nurses that can't find a nursing job have heard this as well. They are probably saying to each other that if you want to be a floor nurse so much, you can have it, but that they are not helping you.
The big green monster of envy has full control. They are mad at you, not at management that picked you over them.
As to what to do. You need to sit down with them. Tell them you understand why they are hurt and mad, but that you did not make the decision to hire you over them as a floor nurse, upper management did. That in order for them to get jobs as nurses, they need to keep up a good impression with the hospital. That they are unlikely to get jobs if the are being disciplined and written up for not doing their current job. Give them clear expectations and if they don't do it, follow through and write them up.
They may hate you, but they need to help you and your patients.

I don't think this is a good idea at all. You cannot presume to know they're envious or jealous of this nurse. It could be they're just bad CNA's and god forbid, will be bad nurses as well with how they're treating the OP and their lack of follow through with their CNA job.

mediatix8 · Oct 7, 2010

Our CNA's don't do vitals for us at all anymore when we give blood.