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?
Hopefully they’ll realize soon enough that SilverBells plays the role of a victim with insurmountable problems and that she has zero intentions or interests in changing her situation.
These genuine advice from well meaning posters might as well be them talking to a wall.
It's OK if that is true because even if my advice is ignored by her, it might help someone else struggling with a similar situation. Thousands of nurses read these posts and you never know who you can help.
I just don't get why they feel the need to plan 18 discharges in one week, knowing I don't have help, or the need to bring in six new patients on one day, when we don't have the staff to do the admissions or take care of them. Seems like horrible planning on administration's part. I'd give anything to trade places with my colleague and have 10 days of peace. He sure scored by not being around for this inevitable week of hell.
This is quite the 'all about me' pity party isn't it? Absolutely fascinating that you dare call yourself a leader. You and your attitude are why nurses are leaving the profession. Not only are they dealing with increasing loads of sicker patients but administration whines and hides.
I am sure your colleague knew months in advance when planning a vacation or requesting time off that it would be busy (rolls eyes). I am sure you never take time off and had this happened to someone that needed to cover for you because you are more special than anyone else.
Time to look for a new job and yesterday is not soon enough to protect the staff you oversee.
Harsh words but I care more about your staff than your poor me attitude.
I just don't get why they feel the need to plan 18 discharges in one week, knowing I don't have help, or the need to bring in six new patients on one day, when we don't have the staff to do the admissions or take care of them. Seems like horrible planning on administration's part. I'd give anything to trade places with my colleague and have 10 days of peace. He sure scored by not being around for this inevitable week of hell.
Okay, so put in for some vacation time for after your colleague gets back. Work sucks. No one denies that. Do what you can to prepare, cope in whatever way is best (NOT by calling out all week), and schedule yourself some time to recuperate afterward. And like everyone else said, for the love of heaven, look for a new job. This has been out of control for a while now and you know that.
That might be best. On the negative side, my workplace will have no manager during that time .
Yes but that’s what is going to happen if you call out, too.
I know you get on here and play the victim, but it isn’t cute or admirable. If you actually work the job that you say you do, and your stories are true (and you aren’t just trolling; I can’t really tell), your patients are being harmed by you. For example, fleeing to leave 56 patients with nobody in charge. You should have been terminated a long time ago.
Yes but that’s what is going to happen if you call out, too.
I know you get on here and play the victim, but it isn’t cute or admirable. If you actually work the job that you say you do, and your stories are true (and you aren’t just trolling; I can’t really tell), your patients are being harmed by you. For example, fleeing to leave 56 patients with nobody in charge. You should have been terminated a long time ago.
Not just this, but if you're working 28 hour days/9 days a week, how does one find so much time to write (and respond to) so many oh-woe-is-me posts?
Not just this, but if you're working 28 hour days/9 days a week, how does one find so much time to write (and respond to) so many oh-woe-is-me posts?
I've wondered this for a long time. And like PP CommunityRN asks, is she trolling us? There's some kind of pathology here - and I feel like we're all being snookered. I resent that!
Heavy is her head that waivers between the self-placed martyr's crown of thorns and that of the regal tiara.
brandy1017, ASN, RN
2,910 Posts
It's OK if that is true because even if my advice is ignored by her, it might help someone else struggling with a similar situation. Thousands of nurses read these posts and you never know who you can help.