ethical dilema

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I am a new LPN in a LTC facility. I work 12 hour shifts. When am finished my med passes and charting I have "nothing" to do. I notice the other LPN's just sit around and talk, or read magazines or smoke. To me this makes for a long day, so I like to see if |I can help the care-aids or anyone!!! I even ask them if I can watch them so I can learn what they have to do. Being a "new" employee, I do not intend to make the other LPNs look bad, I just really believe in teamwork. It makes my shift go faster and I am learning from the care-aids as well. What I am asking from veterans is, am I doing the right thing? Or should I be like the other LPN's and keep to our own. It just seems wrong, but I will probably get the cold shoulder from my LPN peers.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Ok I feel I am pissing people off here, so I will stop posting. I am a new nurse, and I was only asking for advice. I didn't mean to offend.

Hope you haven't left the boards yet because I have something to say to you. I Think it's great that you actively seek to help out the CNAs when you have time or opportunity. I do this as well. Many of our patients are large or have wounds which means they can't just be pulled up in the bed. They have to actually be lifted off the mattress with a draw sheet and moved up. It is a two person job. I usually pass meds for approximately 20 people three times during my 3 to 11 pm shift. I take my break which I insist on between the 1st and 2nd pass unless there is some unusual or emergent event going on. I coordinate with my care staff so that I can do any treatments required while the Aid has the brief off. Nothing pisses and aid off more that a nurse going in after they have performed their job and ripping off bandages. At the beginning of my shift I ask the aids if there is anyone who they have noticed any changes in. I figure they have been with the residents for a whole hour before I get there and the fact that they know I care enough to ask means that they will come to me with concerns. The other thing that irks me is when a patient puts his/her call on and asks for water or Kleenex and the nurse doesn't t just get it for them. I always keep an extra pitcher and a couple of boxes of Kleenex on my cart for just that purpose. I am not overboard about it and I don't do or say anything to make other nurses think that I feel better or superior because of this. Several nurses in our unit actually do the same thing and I am proud of the fact that we have formed a great team that really works together.

Keep up the good work

hppy

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Specializes in Critical care.

When I work ICU I always help my Tech bathe my patient, especially when they are unstable. This is my main time to do a full on head to toe assessment. Once in a rare while we get floated out to Tele, the Aides out there look at me like I have two heads when I help bathe .... so weird to me. Those poor Aides on the floor have 10-15 patients each!

Cheers

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I totally relate to this dilemma! I've worked at my fair share of facilities, and let me tell you- feeling like you have, "nothing to do," is... Baffling. I've been at my current facility for 8 months and I'm SO thankful I found this job!!! I usually have anywhere from 1-2 hours of, "down time," and I can only assume it's because I'm used to having to micromanage every second of my day until oh, I start the grieving process of accepting that I'm not leaving on time. During the first few months at my facility I definitely felt like the other nurses resented me. It took awhile for them to trust that I'm really just adjusting to a place that has awesome management and patient acuity that is appropriate! Now I take my breaks and chart and chat with my colleagues, my CNAs come to me for help when they need it or know that if they're running around sweating with wild eyes I'll intervene:) So find things to do, watch your fellow nurses' body language to see if your offer to help would be appreciated. I remember when I was stressed to the max and the mere OFFER of help from a fellow nurse would help calm me haha. Just beware of being taken advantage of; it could come to that. I finally had to learn to say, "no," when I found myself cathing and starting IVs a little too often on patients not on my assignment and realized... The nurse who's in charge of that patient took a lunch, and yet I didn't get one! You're awesome and I would personally love being on the same team as you!

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Hello,

Congrats on passing your boards. I am an RN, a step away from finishing my MSN. My advice is to keep up the great work. It doesn't matter what the rest of the staff says or does and being a team-player is the best way to work; even if there are only a few of you involved. The important thing to remember is to take care of your patients and don't let anyone take advantage of your ability to step up to the plate when needed. These other nurses have to do their own share too. It's easy to be taken advantage of when working at LTC centers. There are going to be nurses that are jealous and lazy...don't be like them!! I have been a supervisor and unit manager in many facilities and when a call bell goes off I never say or think that's it's beyond me to assist in taking a patient to the bathroom, or helping them feed. This shows true dedication and love of the profession you choose. I hope you will continue on with your education, we need more nurses like you:)

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Just make sure that your help does not become an expectation. I used to help as well but when I was too busy with my own work to help out, the aides got upset. I do what I can when I can but I stay firmly in my nursing lane.

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I wanna know what LTC you all work at that you actually have time to help the STNAs out and take breaks.

Totally agree with this. LTCcare is back breaking work and if on a rare occasion I actually had 5 Spare minutes to sit and rest my feet and back then that is exactly what I would do.

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Thank you for your post and advice. I was getting a little concerned that things were derailing about "having nothing to do". I do find that at times I have nothing pressing to accomplish, so rather than sitting down, I pitch in to help those who are swamped. It's just that I am so new as a nurse "2 weeks in", that I don't know the rules of following the pack to fit in, or helping your co-workers as much as I can.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.
Thank you for your post and advice. I was getting a little concerned that things were derailing about "having nothing to do". I do find that at times I have nothing pressing to accomplish, so rather than sitting down, I pitch in to help those who are swamped. It's just that I am so new as a nurse "2 weeks in", that I don't know the rules of following the pack to fit in, or helping your co-workers as much as I can.

It is inconceivable to some that there are places where a nurse may actually have some down time on 2nd or 3rd shift. Don't feel bad if you are one of the ones who work such a job. The other evening nurse at my facility is able to have more time. She is younger and seems to get done with things faster. I like taking more time and spending a bit more time with the residents.

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You are not answering my question. I have read some of your other posts and you seem like a very bitter person.You are not supportive or helpful. I would never take your advice on anything. From your older posts it seems like you don't even like being a nurse. Your comments are not helpful.

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This was for buckybadgerRn.

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This was for buckybadgerRn.

I'm not who your asking but I say, "yes you are doing the right thing." Plus... I mean, it's ethically the right thing to help your coworkers provide the best possible care BUT it also makes time go by faster and ease boredom; ESP if your not concerned with office politics and don't enjoy gossiping;)

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Thank you KyRN. What you say makes sense to me and I appreciate the feedback. I love hearing from Nurses like you. I agree with the best possible care and everything you said. I just needed some reassurance. Much appreciated !! :)

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