Being an ADVOCATE for a less than helpful coworker

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Specializes in Med/Surg, psych, 7 yrs EMT.

Please bear with me as I vent! Sorry so long! Over the last couple of weeks I have had to work with a certain nurse that just loves to sit on her butt and let you do all her work and frankly Im tired of it. Here's what happened... This nurse has a long history of being "Hurt" any time she is given a patient assignment she doesn't like. She hasn't been able to get a doc to give her restrictions but tells administration she feels like she's going to hurt her back or her wrists or her legs and so on and so on... anyways, the other staff that are scheduled end up taking care of her patients as well as the 5-6 patients we are already responsible for. Then at the end of the shift (Nights) when the clinical director comes in the AM this nurse is just an eager beaver and offers the CD her help relentlessly. No problem lifting, pulling, pushing, anything when the CD's there! To top it all off she makes comments like, "I went into 21 and silenced the IV, maybe you should check on your patients." UGHHH... Maybe I would have more time with my patients if I wasn't constantly toileting yours. I asked her to please sit in HER patients room (needed his sats watched) while I assisted my own patient to the bathroom and she threatened to report me because it's hard for her to sit for long periods of time and she could get hurt. Well I had just had it... I'm tired, MY back hurts, My arms hurt, MY legs hurt, and I WOULD LOVE TO SIT FOR EVEN JUST A MINUTE! So... I was kinda naughty and decided that I was going to be her biggest advocate. Yes thats right...Being her coworker I would certainly not want her to do something that would cause herself harm sooooo.... I told her this: "I did you a big huge favor tonight. I went ahead and filled out a safety report for you. I just feel that sitting on that chair for an entire 8 hour shift (minus the 6 smoke breaks) playing on the internet was definetly hazardous as you could hurt your wrists forsure and sitting for that long of time could easily injure your back. After all, your not suppose to sit for long periods of time right, you could get hurt...We wouldn't want that now would we!" She begged me not to send it but the deed had been done. Management approached her the next AM and questioned her about all of her "Down time" during her scheduled shifts. Maybe it was evil but the rest of us could get hurt as well from all of this and I thought they needed a reason to listen to us.

:banghead: Thanks for listening! :wink2:

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I don't think you were evil. You were very brave. It could have gotten worse if you didn't say anything to management.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I agree with Kati. You were very brave. She should take care of her own patients.

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Specializes in ED/trauma.

Wow. I think that was an incredibly "smart" way to handle all of her aches and pains. It's essential that she care for herself! And if she's not going to, then by golly, you were being a good co-worker by doing so!

:yeah:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, psych, 7 yrs EMT.

I just really want to make sure she gets through her shift as safely as possible! I feel like perhaps I played her own game but maybe a little better

SAFETY FIRST! THATS MY MOTTO!

:lol2:

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Very smart (in a good way). Afterall, you have to think of patient safety and she is hindering that.

Good job!

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I swear, I must work with your coworkers twin.

You are toooo funny!

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Let us know how this works out for you. We had this problem, talked with the Cn, HN, and even the DON...no help, so we just had to tell her we were busy with our own pts when her lights were on. Patients suffered some but she got the message. When she went to HN to report us, she got a few words too. Long ago but helpful.

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

Arg...I hate working with people that are on perpetual "light duty." I've about broken my own back helping coworkers who are c/o some ailment or another. I do believe in legitimate injuries but some people really abuse that. Furthermore if you help her with her patients she needs to help you with your patients. Thats just the way teamwork works. I would suggest a tit-for-tat with her. If you do something for her patients have her do something for yours. I applaud your assertiveness and hope it accomplishes what you desire.

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

Well done! Theres nothing worse than having to work with someone like that. I think you handled it very well...:chuckle

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I say "Bravo!" You're lucky to have a management listen to you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, psych, 7 yrs EMT.

It took the safety report for them to listen! They couldn't ignore that because this hospital has implemented new "Safety is our priority" protocols! Every other time I complained I got the answer, "Thats just how she is, we have all dealt with her." Well, they're new safety reports automatically go to all administration members including the hospital administrator as soon as you click send.. Ha Ha Now they have to address it! :chuckle

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