Dealing with a burnt out seasoned nurse

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I work on a psych unit that does primarily detoxes. Most days there is one nurse which automatically makes them the charge nurse. One day out of my schedule I am with another nurse who has been at the hospital for almost 20 years. I work the previous three days by myself so I know what's going on with the patients. Well this particular nurse always comes in and assumes the role of charge. I wouldn't have a problem with that had I not worked the previous three days and know everything that's happening with the patients. So I end up doing meds and what really bothers me is she just sits around for two hours until rounds, instead of doing some assessments or taking some vitals. She then goes into rounds and knows nothing current about the patients and nothing that needs to be gets addressed and I have to go bother the doctors later. So I end up doing all the meds, all the assessments and usually get stuck with the discharges and at least half the admissions. So I am doing all the work and she is getting the extra charge nurse pay. I want to bring it up with my unit manager but the hospital is really big on seniority and I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I'm getting increasingly aggravated by the situation. I know I don't have 20 years on the job but I don't think it's fair I get stuck with all the work and not the pay. Any suggestions?

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Specializes in ICU.

That isn't fair.

When she comes in and assumes the role of charge have you asked her whether you can be charge that shift on the basis that you are much more informed regarding the patients?

Also, unless the unit manager and this nurse are friends if you do not make the issue sound personal or emotive there isn't any harm asking. Maybe worth a small toe-stepping rather than sucking up all this **** and feeling seriously frustrated.

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If you are going to resolve your conflict with her I think your first step will be to stop being judgemental about her, labeling her burnt out and believing she just sits around doing nothing for two hours, won't help you to speak calmly about the situation and find an amicable solution.

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If you are going to resolve your conflict with her I think your first step will be to stop being judgemental about her, labeling her burnt out and believing she just sits around doing nothing for two hours, won't help you to speak calmly about the situation and find an amicable solution.

I don't think I'm being judgmental. When she is sitting at the desk on her phone I'd say that's doing nothing. Also when she's talks in the back room badly about the patients and does everything she can not to interact with them and when she does she snaps at them and has a horrible attitude. I totally understand why she's burnt out. After 20 years with the population we deal with it would be hard not to.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Welcome to AN.com. Miki2!

Any suggestions?

Listen to the words of the prophets:

"With these oxen we must plow."

"You gotta pay your dues if you want to sing the blues. And, you know, it don't come easy."

Such is life.

The best to you, Miki92!

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Yes, it's the pits. But if you try to usurp her "power" you'll just look like the upstart and probably get nowhere. How long have you been dealing with this? If you're the functional one, people are noticing. You might have to just carry on and wait for Karma on this one. Hang in there.

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I work on a psych unit that does primarily detoxes. Most days there is one nurse which automatically makes them the charge nurse. One day out of my schedule I am with another nurse who has been at the hospital for almost 20 years. I work the previous three days by myself so I know what's going on with the patients. Well this particular nurse always comes in and assumes the role of charge. I wouldn't have a problem with that had I not worked the previous three days and know everything that's happening with the patients. So I end up doing meds and what really bothers me is she just sits around for two hours until rounds, instead of doing some assessments or taking some vitals. She then goes into rounds and knows nothing current about the patients and nothing that needs to be gets addressed and I have to go bother the doctors later. So I end up doing all the meds, all the assessments and usually get stuck with the discharges and at least half the admissions. So I am doing all the work and she is getting the extra charge nurse pay. I want to bring it up with my unit manager but the hospital is really big on seniority and I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I'm getting increasingly aggravated by the situation. I know I don't have 20 years on the job but I don't think it's fair I get stuck with all the work and not the pay. Any suggestions?

20 years in the job is an accomplishment ...

To be honest - it is prob best to be accepting and to let her be charge when she is there.

There is not way she will give it up and run around for hours when she can be in charge ...

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How often do you work with her? "One day out of my schedule" is not clear.

Have you asked her to take vitals or assessments?

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Specializes in MICU, ED, Med/Surg, SNF, LTC, DNS.
If you are going to resolve your conflict with her I think your first step will be to stop being judgemental about her, labeling her burnt out and believing she just sits around doing nothing for two hours, won't help you to speak calmly about the situation and find an amicable solution.

Agreed.

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"You gotta pay your dues if you want to sing the blues. And, you know, it don't come easy."

Brain radio.

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

If you know that the patients have issues that need addressed, bring those up to her before doctors round.

"when you are rounding with doc today, could you mention that patient X was wondering about YZ? And patient W has been having YX symptoms and would like it addressed"

Then she will know whats up and you won't have to follow up with the doc later.

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