I have become quite concerned recently about the work ethic of our nursing tech. More concerning, however, is the way that the problem is being dealt with. I work at an ambulatory infusion clinic. Most of the patient care is done by RN's, and we have about 9 RN's per shift. We have one nursing tech who works 9-5 M-F; her responsibilities include taking each patient's vital signs and weighing them upon coming into the clinic, drawing blood (which we rarely delegate, so she doesn't do it much), delivering comfort items (blankets, drinks, etc.), and filling our supply carts at the end of her shift. When compared to the responsibilities of inpatient nursing techs, I don't think that she realizes how good she has it!
She is a single mother of 3 and has to take public transportation to work. Here are the incidents that have occurred in just a few months time:
1. Several personal sick calls
2. Several sick calls re: her children's illnesses
3. Two deaths in the family
4. Two no-show, no-calls
5. Multiple days requested off for things like jury duty, children's doctor appointments, and evictions (which all sounds a bit suspicious...)
I understand that she does not have support and has a difficult life to deal with. However, we need the help! Each nurse sees about 8 or 9 patients per day, and 4 or 5 are in-depth infusions; her help is vital to us. The nurse manager has done everything possible: counseling, work ethic lectures, an in-depth job descriptions...we even gave her her own space with her Dinamap, scale, and computer-on-wheels to help make her feel more valuable. The issue is, she is union, and there are steps that need to be made. It is so frustrating for the nurses, because she will be thisclose to being fired, then has a bout of good attendance, after which action must be started all over again due to union rules. She is playing the system, is quite manipulative, and I am personally tired of all the crocodile tears. I am very compassionate to the single, working mother, but this has gotten ridiculous...anyone have any advice for how to deal with staff that have poor work ethic? How can we make her see how good she really has it!!!! Is she taking advantage of us??
