Expected to do other nurse's work

[nurseblob]

I work full time in a LTC facility. I've noticed that the nurses that fill in for me frequently do not sign out treatments, change catheters, do skin assessments etc.etc. I get the feeling that I'm expected to perform all of the duties that they NEGLECTED. This seems really unfair, any ideas on how to deal with this?

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Have you tried a paper trail? No one likes to do this, but if you spoke with them already...it is time. Missing dressings is an error. Missing labs are an error...What about goingup the chain?

[MouseMichelle]

This is sad but it's the story of a LTC nurse. I have to do things that my AM/PM nurses neglected to do. I look at it as teamwork becuase I know how busy it can get in LTC.

[Longtimenursex20]

I see it as poor management/ leadership from DON. LTC facilities are mostly staffed by Lpns. Rns are there for iv therapy, supervision duties, and anything else. When I worked in LTC there was no teamwork and the Lpns knew they could get away with being slackers...sadly enough. Each place is different but in my >20 yrs of nursing I discovered that there are a lot more nurses who DON'T care than those who do.If you do care then you are screwed cuz there aren't enough hours in a day to get all that neglected work done:(

[qestout, ASN, RN]

Here's the opposite perspective:

I'm part-time and have no set schedule. I'm assigned 3-4 shifts per week wherever they need coverage on any shifts or groups. Guess what...it's difficult to get a routine down, esp. when they move residents around or get new ones during my days off.

I try to go in early to look through the treatment book first so I know what to expect and what I can combine into med pass (like bacitracin ointment apps). I save the major dressing changes for after the med passes, which sometimes, due to the many interruptions, I'm doing into the next shift. Sometimes the next shift charge nurse tells me to go home, it will get taken care of.

It would be great to work the same group, same shift, feel organized, and get out on time.

[achot chavi]

Hi, This is a universal problem. I would ask the CNA's who worked with the fill in to find out how he or she worked, if she sat doing her nails or reading a magazine, I would definitely report it in writing to my supervisor, If the nurse really worked all day but wasted a lot of time orienting him or herself to the unit, the patients and the staff then I would give that person a second or third chance, After all we were all slow the first day.

Regarding treatments that were due that day, if they were not done and not signed for, I would make copies and show my supervisor gently asking her to supervise this covering nurse and guiding her so the work gets done responsibly and the patients get the care they need.

You dont have to shut up and take it but you shouldnt be aggressive or angry about this either, the best attitude to your supervisor should be "how can we help the covering nurses so that they do all the professional responsibilities that are needed to be done"

Please remember sometimes a covering nurse is working a double and you never get as good results from the second shift- they are only human...

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

The other nurses should be held responsible for what wasn't done on their shift. Plain and simple. You weren't there, why should you be responsible for it?

If a foley is to be changed on 3-11 on Tuesdays. The nurse working 3-11 Tuesday is the one who has to change the foley, and document it. Not the nurse on 3-11 Wednesday.

[pixie120]

The other nurses should be held responsible for what wasn't done on their shift. Plain and simple. You weren't there, why should you be responsible for it?

If a foley is to be changed on 3-11 on Tuesdays. The nurse working 3-11 Tuesday is the one who has to change the foley, and document it. Not the nurse on 3-11 Wednesday.

I agree, but.... good resident care dictates that when I find it was missed, I do it, or pass it on to next nurse... I worked the same unit though 5 nights per week, so only had to compensate on my monday, BUT lots ofthings got passed on to me from the day shift RN, as it should be, as we are a team. We often did big treatments together, at the shift change, and because I was a new grad, she showed me a lot of stuff. I really don't care WHO is doing it,as long as it gets done.