In a couple of weeks, my colleague will be out on vacation (and deservedly so). This means, however, my workload will basically double. Instead of overseeing 28 patients, I'll be responsible for 56.
I don't forsee this as going successfully. In my opinion, they're probably better off with no manager at all than having me there. Patients are going to need things I can't give and families are going to have questions I can't answer. There are going to be things that come up that my colleague is better suited to handle that will ultimately fall on me.
One example would be is that there is a Care Conference scheduled for a patient that my colleague would normally oversee. This patient has a new urostomy; I am anticipating the patient and/or family may have questions regarding this. However, this is not one of my areas of expertise and something someone else should address. In my opinion, this patient and family are better off having no nurse attend at all than having someone like myself there. I am tempted to not show up to work that day as a result.
In fact, I've thought about simply not coming in at all that week. I simply won't be successful in managing so many patients and strongly believe my coworkers, patients and family members will be better off if I am not there. This obviously means no manager, but it's better than having me there.
The trick, then, is how do I pursue not coming in that week? How do you excuse yourself from work, knowing fully well someone else is on vacation?
This week also means that any grievances or staffing issues would be mine to resolve. My colleague does a much better job at addressing both of these things.
Well, since you admit you are not up to the job and are expressing a defeatist attitude in this post, you could always resign. Not saying this to be snarky either. Resigning is an option for these thought processes.
That might be best. On the negative side, my workplace will have no manager during that week. On the plus side, at least I wouldn't be there.
Thing is, I probably could call in sick that week, and they'd have no way of necessarily proving it. Without proof, there wouldn't necessarily be any grounds for dismissal present, especially as I almost never call in or take any days off.
Maybe for the patient with the urostomy, I could defer any education needs to their urologist. If any clinical needs come up during that week happen to be ones that I cannot address, the patients could be sent to the ER.
Dude. Get report from your colleague before he leaves, review urostomies, and get comfortable with the words, "I don't know, but I will find out." Being a manager - or a nurse - isn't about having all the answers memorized; it's about knowing your resources and being able to think critically. I can imagine it's a huge workload to cover for another manager, but your expectations of how you should handle this are out of proportion. If you can't bring yourself to show up at work that week because you don't know everything about everything, I don't know what to tell you.
For the future: buy a used Medical-Surg book like Lewis : Medical-Surgical Nursing, editions that are older like 9th and 10th. Look on eBay or Amazon. Have the resources at your fingertips.
I have to admit I am worried about your mental health. It seems that anything outside your day-to-day functioning (like a coworker going on a vacation,) rattles you. I also have to ask, where was this co-worker when you were working on conflict resolution with the family of the woman who went to the hospital but was not admitted and all the other trials and tribulations you have had? Wondering if she/he is avoiding problems too?
Uh, I believe Medicare offers limited skilled nsg visit for new urostomy care for newly home discharged. Social worker should be working on disch planning now anyway. So there should be a home care anchor line for help. Prob a home care manager also.
Another reason to possibly stay home that week: We are due for state survey anytime. If they show up next week and I’m the only manager there, well...you can see how disaster would arise.
It is not ideal for there to be no manager for a week, but the honest truth is that everyone would be receiving a favor in exchange for my absence.
Another reason to possibly stay home that week: We are due for state survey anytime. If they show up next week and I’m the only manager there, well...you can see how disaster would arise.
It is not ideal for there to be no manager for a week, but the honest truth is that everyone would be receiving a favor in exchange for my absence.
If you are serious, and there is always doubt in my mind, this has got to he the most unprofessional suggested course of action I think I have ever heard.
If you're serious.
Strikes colors and withdraws from field of battle.
Specializes in Community Health, Med/Surg, ICU Stepdown.
2 hours ago, SilverBells said:
the honest truth is that everyone would be receiving a favor in exchange for my absence.
The sounds like depression to me, so I hope you are still receiving some mental health help. I know when I am depressed I also have a defeatist attitude, become negative and blow things out of proportion. I am sure it is stressful to be a manager, and the additional stress of your co-manager being out plus state survey does sound like a lot. What I am coming to terms with myself is if you can't perform the duties of a job due to mental health issues, and/or the job is causing or exacerbating your mental health issues, you may need to take a leave of absence and then decide if you need a different job. It's nothing to be ashamed of. As nurses we need to think about what's best for ourselves and for our patients. Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon = )
SilverBells, BSN
1,108 Posts
This week also means that any grievances or staffing issues would be mine to resolve. My colleague does a much better job at addressing both of these things.