How do you deal with your charge nurse who tells you to “watch the patient” when you should be speaking with the doctor to report changes?
My charge has more experience than I (me 8 years, her 20+) . But I believe she has forgotten that a part of our jobs is to monitor and report changes in patients. I know some issues could wait until morning/next shift, but some should be addressed, immediately. The oncoming nurses ask me, "why didn't you call the MD or does the MD know?" I've also posted situations here in the past and the census was to RRT the patient or call the MD.
I need some advice on how to approach this. I don't think she is real receptive to anything I have to say because she's got more experience than I do. And that ego is out of control. Should I tell my manager? She's new and seems to be receptive to discussion. Though I know when I DO NEED HELP, she'll hang me out to dry if I bring this to my managers attention.
If I'm assigned to that patient, I am that patient's nurse. The charge is charged with running the unit, staffing, assignments, etc and on some units they have their own patients. I have one charge who is amazing, always helpful with advice etc, and if she senses I disagree she will say "If you feel unsure about it, call the provider." But in a nice way meaning she gives advice on what she would do, but still respects that I am a nurse and the one ultimately responsible for the patient.
As a courtesy to the provider and fellow coworkers, my coworkers and I usually ask each other if anyone else needs to talk to _______, so we don't have to make a million separate phone calls to the same provider.
RN_atlast
16 Posts
If I'm assigned to that patient, I am that patient's nurse. The charge is charged with running the unit, staffing, assignments, etc and on some units they have their own patients. I have one charge who is amazing, always helpful with advice etc, and if she senses I disagree she will say "If you feel unsure about it, call the provider." But in a nice way meaning she gives advice on what she would do, but still respects that I am a nurse and the one ultimately responsible for the patient.
As a courtesy to the provider and fellow coworkers, my coworkers and I usually ask each other if anyone else needs to talk to _______, so we don't have to make a million separate phone calls to the same provider.