Should I do more??

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all,

I am a lpn currently working in a small doctors office (assisting on average 3-5 Drs), I have worked in this office for 7 years. I recently have a new manager that is actually the receptionist (the clinic is cutting nursing staff, so it was cheaper to hire a non-nursing manager and the nurses are slowly being replaced with medical assistants). They are cutting staff BIG TIME! we went from 2 nurses a shift down to one and there are some overlapping with the receptionist. The pay is VERY LOW (I'm very embarrassed to let ppl know how much I make lol) and with the shift cut means more work.

My new manager is upset with the nurses not helping the receptionists (eg. filing, pulling charts and answering the phones). There is one nurse that ALWAYS helps the receptionists but hardly does any of her nursing duties (stocking rooms, call backs, referrals etc).

I am one that NEVER helps at the front unless I happen to pass by and I notice they are busy I will answer the odd incoming call. I feel there is more than enough work for the nurses to do that I shouldn't have to help in the front.

Since there is one nurse at a time, although we are legally suppose to have a break, WE DO NOT because it is really frowned upon by the management and the Drs (one VERY ABUSIVE Dr actually called management to complain on me when I went to lunch because he needed me!).

My coworker that always helps at the front told me yesterday that the manager is complaining about me and the other nurse not helping, she's becoming VERY ANNOYED recently. Im really at my breaking point with this job and I wish I could leave but nursing jobs are not easy to find in my city.

sorry but I honestly feel it is not worth me overworking myself for such a low pay. I have a BsN but I have not taken the NCLEX yet.

Should I help more in the front, especially since I may need her as a reference or should i stick to my nursing duties?

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Since you have not yet taken the NCLEX, you are not a nurse and shouldn't legally have any nursing duties. You aren't a nurse.

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Specializes in Oncology.
Since you have not yet taken the NCLEX, you are not a nurse and shouldn't legally have any nursing duties. You aren't a nurse.

She is an LPN

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I'd start studying for the NCLEX & looking for a new job.

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She is an LPN

Ah ok- I see now. That makes more sense! Sorry about that.

Yes def try and see if there is a better opportunity once you have passed the NCLEX-RN. Sounds like this place is not going to be the best fit for your future.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

I have been in this position, several times, after being at a job for years, and seeing a nice working environment turn dysfunctional. It is always always a mistake to hang on and hope things will improve. I am old enough now to recognize when an organization is lowering their standards . ... and I accept it.

My attitude is "well that was a nice run..time to go per diem."

OP you had a nice run at this office job. Keep the lines of communication open, be nice and help out the practice manager as time permits. Secure three professional references from there and focus on your future.

Best wishes with NCLEX.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I have also seen this at one place I worked and the minute I realized they were going to expect me to double as the receptionist on a permanent basis I found another job. We should require decent wages and appropriate working conditions. If we don't employers will just continue to pile more on our plates and we have no one to blame but ourselves. Best of luck to you with NCLEX and in the meantime I would also be looking for another job.

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I have worked at an office before, with similar circumstances, what I did is as much as I could without giving myself too much. Are there other people you could use as references besides the new manager? I would look for other ones just in case she isn't willing to be used as a reference. Gather those references, study for the NCLEX, and look for something better. Good luck on the NCLEX.

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Thanks guys,

I will definitely focus on the NCLEX and find a new job.

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I would also see if I could backtrack all the days that I did not take a lunch break or 15 minute break, and when I left, I would make a large complaint to the Labor Board, for not getting you legally allowed breaks. You are legally allowed a 15 minute break for every four hours that you work.

You could be looking at getting a large check in the future.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN (ret)

Somewhere in the PACNW

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We should require decent wages and appropriate working conditions. If we don't employers will just continue to pile more on our plates and we have no one to blame but ourselves.

This is very true and I blame my coworker for going above and beyond her nursing duties that now it is an expectations for ALL the nurses. I am also to blame for staying in such a toxic environment.

Unfortunately working in a Drs office they do not care about how the staff are treated, the focus is seeing the most patients and paying the staff next to nothing in order for the Drs and the upper management to have more money. There are no unions that protect us and as my managers manager put it "everyone is replaceable, there are always people looking for jobs".

This was the first place I worked when I became an lpn and my focus was on getting nursing experience so I sucked it up. It has now become unbearable for me.

I will definitely look for another job, even if it isn't nursing and focus on the NCLEX.

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I should not say my coworker goes above and beyond her nursing duties, it is more neglecting her nursing duties and focusing on reception work!

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