Frustrating

JKL33 · Dec 20, 2020

Go to your manager and let him/her know that if there is a chance you will find yourself being placed in that role again you must have the appropriate training. *Don't* talk too much. Come up with your statement and just keep reinforcing it no matter what is said back to you. If you go off script and try to start explaining and defending you are more likely to be poo-poohed and picked apart and told a bunch of nonsense.

Example:

[Hellos...pleasantries...etc.]

You: "It was not appropriate for me to have been unexpectedly put in charge. I am not opposed to serving in that way, but I must have appropriate training before being asked to do it again."

Them: "Oh, yeah! I heard about that! So sorry. But you can do it, you're a great nurse, I have no doubt you did a fine job!"

You: "I appreciate your confidence, but I am going to need the training before I am asked to do it again."

Them: You know, actually, you're really just there to kind of keep things together, it isn't that big of a deal...you're not responsible for all the patients or anything, or for what other nurses are doing...."

You: "Understood. Just the same, I will need to see a description of the role and will need the appropriate training so that I can perform it to the best of my ability."

Etc.

Do not go off script with, "[xyz happened] and I didn't even know how to handle it or who to call..." Just don't.

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Dec 22, 2020

Excellent advice from JKL33. I can sympathize, I was told I would be in charge as soon as I hit six months in the ICU because there was no one else. I was charge every shift I worked for a year and a half until they had someone else to share it (looking back it was pretty ridiculous). I did get one shift of "training", and admittedly many of the days were no big deal. However, many nights I had to spend hours tracking down stuff that I never would have thought to ask about on an orientation. Hopefully you have a good supervisor to back you up when necessary. Definitely ask for training before that happens again. Good luck!

nursebeth77, ASN · Dec 22, 2020

My last day is the 29th I’m going to start traveling. I won’t have to worry about it then. Unfortunately my supervisor doesn’t have anyone’s back. I am bleed to have strong nurses on those 2 nights because there are a couple that are kinda iffy and they need babysat. I only had 2 rapid response on the floor, which that really scares me the most.