What kind of nurse are you?

iteachob, MSN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

Productive? I guess it depends on your definition; what you describe sounds very productive. Good grief, you'd think your manager was managing an assembly line.

You sound like you're doing a fine job to me.........

diane227, LPN, RN · Jan 20, 2009

Well I guess you need to ask your manager what he wants? Would he like to hear more patient complaints? I would never tell a nurse that he/she is talking to patients too much. You are right in all that you said. You should challenge this evaluation. Do you use EDIT or Studer customer service expectations at your facility? If so, you might want to remind your manager of this.

SunnyAndrsn · Jan 20, 2009

Tired? I work 6am-2pm in long term care. I have 24 residents (22 right now, two died within the last week). I plan my day as best I can, to provide as high of quality of care as I can. I load my med cart up with the treatment supplies I need, print out all my bowel sheets (so I know who needs suppositories, milk of mag, or enemas), make sure my stock meds won't run out, get supplement drinks and puddings, grab an oximeter, a couple of BP cuffs, my stethescope and a thermometer.

For paperwork I have my report sheet, a 24 hour sheet that we use as a quick reference between the three shifts, and a some blank fax sheets. We also are supposed to do weekly summaries on pt's bath days, but I don't carry those with me. I should, because we are supposed to fill out the PRNs used during the last 7 days, report on frequency to MD, etc.

Then I use my report sheet to add in whose VS I need, who has tx to do, etc. I stuff my pockets with alcohol wipes and skin prep (we use it on several pts heels to help prevent skin breakdown), and nail clippers and start down the hall by 6:30-7am. With a little luck, I've worked my way back up the hall by 10am and try to get a good chunk of paperwork and charting down by 11am. I try to take my break then. Finish as much paperwork and chart as I can by noon, then pass the last few meds between 12 and 1pm, and help with lunch.

So...I try to be organized. I like to spend as much time with my residents as I can, building a good working relationship so I can be in tune with any changes. I don't have time to dawdle so like you, I do my talking while I'm working. I'm also doing assessments at the same time...is there a mentation/cognitive status change. Mood/affect, listening for cough, listening if the pt. has complaints of aches, pains, cough, stuffy nose, etc. They just think I'm nice for listening to them and chatting!

praying_mantis · Jan 20, 2009

I like to talk to my patients too, At the same time, I know when its time to stop talking and get the job done. Sometimes its hard to send out that message to patients who really like to visit. Its a matter of prioritizing and finding that balance. I think your manager used poor judgement by saying that you werent as productive as other nurses. Your not there to measure up to other nurses standards, you are there for the patients. I would have asked for specific examples and incidents that led your manager to that conclusion.

cop2bnurse41 · Jan 20, 2009

Keep up the good work! The next time I land in the E.R. and it happens often:rollI am a accident waiting to happen I hope I get A nurse like you!!!

oldiebutgoodie, RN · Jan 20, 2009

I work in a busy ED. Most of the time the patients who come in are scared because they are having CP, have broken something, afraid they're having a stroke, etc...I introduce myself, explain what I'm doing. I talk to them and explain things while I am starting the IV, pushing meds, etc...I don't like just sit and talk to them. I am always thanked for being kind and for explaining things. I've never had patients complain that they have to wait too long for pain meds, etc...waiting on the doctor or on test results yes.
I had my yearly evaluation last week and my manager had written down that I am not as productive as the other nurses. He said I talk to the patients too much. Isn't that a part of nursing? I'm not chit-chatting, I'm explaining things and I don't doddle. I didn't know how to reply but I didn't sign the evaluation because I said I had to think about it.

Does you manager have any data or is this just his impression? Is there a way in your ER to measure productivity? Do your coworkers agree with him? Or is this just an example of the manager feeling he has to write "something" negative about somebody?

I would ask my coworkers honestly. They may have been complaining to him. Either way, good luck. I would like to have you as my ER nurse.

Oldiebutgoodie

callmekipling · Jan 20, 2009

I had my yearly evaluation last week and my manager had written down that I am not as productive as the other nurses. He said I talk to the patients too much.

Did you know your managers are *required* to find room for improvement in your eval? True story. If that's all s/he's got to say about you in the negative, I'd say you're pretty awesome.

I mean, that's culture today. If you can do it well, maybe you can do it well a little faster? :clown:

I got an eval once, it said I'm great at life and all, but I could learn to be more of a self-starter. When i asked my boss to elaborate, she shrugged and said "You're doing everything, the only thing I could think was to have you do everything sooner." (let it also be known I really, really like my boss :wink2:)

BEDPAN76 · Jan 20, 2009

Hi Broadway! This is what you write on the eval: " Thank You I will try to improve. " Keep it short and sweet. Like another poster pointed out, if this was the only thing they could come up with, don't worry. You will learn that some evals are really no help at all! Take care, :)

Vito Andolini · Jan 21, 2009

The harsh reality is that we are judged by numbers, statistics. So many people here have given good comments that I have nothing to say. I do concur that you should get your boss to define "productivity". And do be aware that, as I said, we are judged by the numbers. So I am wondering if some coworker finds you too slow, too verbal. Or have some patients commented, unknown to you, that you are too talkative? Personally, I appreciate someone friendly but do not like to hear explanations about what is being done to me when I am a patient. I know what's being done and it scares me. So I don't want them to talk about it, just do it. Go figure. You can't win. Someone else would c/o that you didn't explain stuff enough. Just get some clarification, try to keep the right people happy, you know.

cupcake25 · Jan 21, 2009

That's the thing about nursing. You work your butt off all year and think you are doing a great job and then you get your evaluation and it is not how you feel it should be. I feel alot of it has to do with money. The lower your rating the less raise you get. This has happened to me alot the past 30 years. I know I am a good nurse and so do you.

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

I'm a talker as well. Like to explain to the pt what's going on and I also like to chit chat a little on the side. I don't know, I just find people generally very interesting and I guess I'm a "people" person. I haven't been reprimanded for it, I think it's an asset, it's part of who you are, JMHO, don't change