Bossy Unit Clerks

[NancyRN]

Does anyone else here have a problem with bossy Unit Clerks?

The unit clerks at my telemetry unit seem to add to the already unbearable stress levels. I don't know how to deal with them because they do have a job to do but they don't seem to understand that I have priorities.

Yesterday when I came on duty I was told that a patient would be transferring to another hospital. I assessed her, talked to her about the surgery and her fears, then began assessing my other FIVE patients. It seemed I was running into some big problems because I had a lady with chest pain and one with dyspnea, and one with BS of over 500. Every time I passed the nurses station this unit clerk would crab at me about getting the first patient transferred. I was on the phone with a doctor and she SLAMMED the papers down in front of me and said "they're downstairs waiting!"

Figuring the ambulance was downstairs waiting, I went ahead and filled out the 15 pages of paperwork and handed it to her. She them said "Good, now I can call for an ambulance!" I said "What do you mean? I thought they were downstairs waiting?"

"I meant ER had another patient waiting for the room" was her reply.

I'm generally meek but I have gotten courage from this forum! I asked, "Is there ANY reason that patient in ER who is stable could not have waited until I assess all my patients this morning?" Another nurse then piped up, "Your patients are all FINE! I had them YESTERDAY!" So as you can see I had no support here and the unit clerks continue to harrass the nurses.

How do the rest of you handle this kind of thing?

[h2ogoddess]

Yep, I think my job is hard and full of stress!

Would I want to do the RN's job? No thank-you, believe it or not I do understand that job is no pice of cake, no matter what they do someone is ready to pick it apart. (But sometimes that happens to me too!)

I know the Nursing Staff where I work, works darn hard. I really do try to help, but I have my days when ONE MORE thing and I'm over the edge!!

[h2ogoddess]

Have to add this. Although I am not a nurse(was a CNA for about 26 years). I come to read the boards so that hopefully, I can always keep an open mind ( I try!) and be an asset to the unit and the staff, no matter what the title. As I said before I have my days, after all I was born under the sign of the Bull and sometimes I act like one!! But if I am wrong I will admit it.

[ceecel.dee, MSN, RN]

Ward clerks accountable?

In our hospital, the charge nurse must sign off orders after transcribed by the ward clerk, accepting all accountability. Most of ours are great! One very lazy one who moves at a snails pace and likes to question the doc's orders (why is she only on clear liquids? Hourly neuro's? What a waste of time!) It would save me time to do all the transcription and sign them off at the same time just to avoid conversing with her and catching her mistakes (and trust me....many, many mistakes).

A good ward clerk is worth her weight in gold!

Transfer before 9am? Paper work should have had a good start at the very least (night shift)! Maybe you could have handed that cheeky "they are all fine, I had them yesterday" nurse a pen!

[Teshiee]

I don't understand why that unit clerk is still working at your facility. All it takes is one lousy one to ruin it for all. When I worked as a unit clerk the nurses knew when I came it was going to be an easy night because I did my work and made their life easy. She should be fired. I just love when they question doctors orders. Not knowing the rationale for some.

Now working as a Rn I give unit clerks the utmost respect because I understand how they have to work with so many different personalities.

[mattsmom81]

So true. Teshiee..mutual respect is so important! We also make sure to bring flowers and have a party for Secretary's Day...a helpful secretary can be like gold on a hectic unit....but like nurses, sometimes they need to learn to say 'NO' BEFORE they reach the breaking point. :)

LUV all those good secretaries out there who keep our units running smoothly on the administrative/paperwork end of things!!

[h2ogoddess]

No matter how much I have going on I had better not say no I cann't take anymore on right now, the sh@t would hit the fan and I would get a talking to about how everyone else has to much to do and after all this is a Ward Clerk Duty. Been there done that already. But if I make a mistake I'll hear about that too, or if I stess out, well thats another story.

[mattsmom81]

Cinny, one of my new ward clerks was having trouble being constantly interrupted for requests....it was hindering her in completing her duties. So she inititated a ' secretaty to do list'

and asked the nurses to write on it and she would get to it as soon as she could.

It seemed to help with the continual interruptions. I know it is a tough job...the constant interruptions were the hardest for me to handle at the desk as charge nurse...I'd get sidetracked in the middle of a task and forget where I was with order entry, etc.....this was worst for me.

There comes a point where we all have to be able to say 'I have 15 things to do and I'll add yours to my list' and not be so stressed we cannot function. We are only human and can only do so many things at once.....It's a tough proposition some days, I know!

Again, the original poster was NOT belittling the unit clerks everywhere...only a rude bossy one she has to deal with.

[h2ogoddess]

I now the post was not for all Clerks, I didn't think that at all.

I just want to do the best I can, I know the Staff is so busy and I do not want to add to it, but your idea is great! Think I will try something like that. Thanks so much!

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Howdy yall

From deep in the heart of texas

A good secretary is the grease that keeps a unit running smoothly. They are worth their weight in gold. Hope you read this Laverne

[allthingsbright]

Hi Everyone,

I just began as a unit secretary in ICU part time as I work through nursing school. It's nice to get some idea of what you guys like and dislike. My main problem in training has been reading the docs handwriting on orders. I have to ask most of the time for a translation! I feel like I am bugging everyone by continually doing this. What do you think?

Amy :)

[superstar]

hello, i may be replying to this a little late but im the new girl please dont think im as pretencious as my name but my nickname was super ward clerk.

Im now a student nurse and have seen both sides of the coin. Many clerks feel they are only part of a team when it suits nursing staff. My title was health care assistant because i was the main venepucturist for a 40 bed unit, ward clerk and did hca duties. So my boss got a good innings out of me. My opposite ward clerk is a busy body know it all and i was seen as the angel.!!!

On my unit i had days when i never got a break i was out on my own. Nurses are in a team and make sure their collegues have a break, which im not knocking. i got a lot of crap to do and had to get my work done before the next day, i could not hand it over to the next shift and then was condescended as oh your only clerical, weekends off, sat on your backside. When there was no cover for my holidays hcas were trained up to cover my job, they all said never again. You got flack from relatives, consultants, well everybody. But please dont think im having a go, i loved my job because you treat people how you would like to be treated. you cant have an attitude. I respect nurses. I realised i could be a good nurse and sorry but ive experienced hard nurse who i feel had been in the job too long. Please dont shout at me !!!!.

Thanks katy superstar.

[h2ogoddess]

Oh yes the handwriting, can make a Ward Clerk crazy!!