Ever been a unit secretary?

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Wow I had a rough 12 hours today. I came in to find out that I was going to be unit secretary for the day. I thought no big deal. I do charge all the time, how different could it be. Whew, the whole day, answer the phone, answer the call light, listen to the Telemetry's, visitors want water, they want coffee, they want cups, they want sugar, they want to talk, they just don't go away. All the doctors came in at an even steady pace. No break at all. I was busy scanning the orders, then doing the orders, then signing them off. Still all the while the call light was going off, #320 was screaming, help me, help me, visitors telling me, don't you know she needs help? #320 is right across from the desk, well duh?! The phone ringing, all 6 lines. More requests from visitors, patients expecting room service for their company. "Don't forget the sugar for their coffee". My head is still spinning! They couldn't pay me enough to be a unit secretary. I think the next time I see Debbie I will bow at her feet. She is definately the superior human being!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

It's a tough job. I've had to do charge and unit secretary more times than I care to count. It's tough.

Kudos to the unit secretaries of the world. They are so under-appreciated.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

:balloons: Thank God for Unit Secretaries! I thank and praise them every chance I get because I know their job is just as overwhelming as mine -- yes, in different ways, but still mind-boggling nonetheless. :rolleyes:

I give them gifts at Christmas and make it a point of knowing their birthdays so I can give them gifts then, too. I'll even buy them special pens, stuffed animals, lunch.... They are often overlooked as being one of the necessary top dogs of the nursing unit, and they deserve more recognition than they get (at least the ones I've worked with over the years). :)

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No way could I ever be a unit secretary..they do deserve a lot of credit for what they do. :eek:

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I was a unit secretary/monitor tech on a 28 bed med/surg/tele floor for nearly 2 years while going to nursing school. Very challenging to say the least. A unit secretary can make or break a unit in my opinion.

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I was a unit secretary/monitor tech on a 28 bed med/surg/tele floor for nearly 2 years while going to nursing school. Very challenging to say the least. A unit secretary can make or break a unit in my opinion.

So often, being a unit secretary is such a thankless job! I should know, I've been one for five years :uhoh3:.....I too work tele and watch those cardiac monitors in addition to everything else mentioned above.

It was nice to read this thread this morning, and know that there are folks who appreciate all the details we keep track of!

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Specializes in Government.

As a night shift charge for 10 years, I WAS the unit secretary. I've never worked anywhere that had a unit secretary at night. It is a lot of work and critical that it be done correctly. Cheers for all who do this important job!

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Thank you!!!!!!! It was great to read this thread as I am a Unit Secretary while going through nursing school. I work in a locked down 19 bed NICU unit.

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Specializes in Infectious Disease.

I am preparing to apply for different Unit Secretary positions at various hospitals and you guys are scaring. Is it really all that bad? I am awaiting acceptance to nursing school and am dying to begin work in a healthcare environment. Any suggestions to better my chances of obtaining a position? I have about 11 years experience in the clerical/support field but no medical background. Many positions ask for med term so I will be taking a class. I also have some notes that I have been going over that will help familiarize me with the terminology.

By the way, you should direct your Unit Secretaries to this site. As an underappreciated Administrative Assistant with a large company, I know it would make me feel good to know that someone found some value in my contributions to the department.

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Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

I know this thread is YEARS old..but it's much appreciated nonetheless. I worked as a unit secretary a few years back..and now that I'm applying for nursing school, I'm applying to be a unit secretary again.

In the midst of the craziness and chaos, I LOVED it..and I can't wait to do it again! :)

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