Directors covering open shifts

[RainRN1]

How often are you covering open shifts? Seems like it's common and if so how are you getting your job done?

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

My DON has made it clear she will never cover the floor under any circumstances

I ran a very large, very busy SNF. I did everything for my staff from helping with tray pass to toileting residents to making beds to staying late every Friday to enter orders into the computer for anywhere from 3 to 6 admissions. I would, however, not take a cart because I didn't think it was safe for someone who hadn't passed meds in 13+ years to do so. I got grief from the administrator for it but only because one nurse complained about me...oh yeah, the same nurse who left by 4 every Friday.

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

I ran a very large, very busy SNF. I did everything for my staff from helping with tray pass to toileting residents to making beds to staying late every Friday to enter orders into the computer for anywhere from 3 to 6 admissions. I would, however, not take a cart because I didn't think it was safe for someone who hadn't passed meds in 13+ years to do so. I got grief from the administrator for it but only because one nurse complained about me...oh yeah, the same nurse who left by 4 every Friday.

That's AMAZING that you do all that other stuff! That's so helpful. Ours will not do anything related to the floor or patient care whatsoever.

[RN&mom]

I will readily answer call bells, help with transfers, assist putting in orders on a new admit, help with meals, and I will work the floor. But it is my preference to show my staff that if I expect them to work an extra shift or half shift a week (when we need it), that I'm wiling to do the same. I won't work the floor day shift during the week. I get pulled for DON stuff too and it's too much doing both... Generally if night shift is running short I will sign up for a 3a-7a spot to help them out but again that's my preference. Occasionally I will work a weekend shift but it may be different for me. I am hourly not salary. I actually would never take a DON position as salary due to the fact that I don't mind helping on the floor once in a while.