How do I tell staff members apart?

imagenthings · Jan 22, 2011

I would love to say glance at their ID's, but I am not sure if you work in one of those facilities where many staff members turn their badges to face them so you cannot figure who they are or what is their title/role there.

It could be frustration but learn names, make conversation and it may come.

JDZ344 · Jan 22, 2011

Do you start the shift at the same time as the other staff? You could maybe start by asking at the start "Just so I know, who is the lead RN today?" or "I'm Sprinkles, I'm a volunteer. Who are the RNs/midwifes/etc here who I can go to if I have questions?".

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2011

Just ask someone where you can locate the nurse in charge.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 22, 2011

Unquestionably, I understand your frustration since 2yrs ago the same situation arouse in the 500 bed facility that I work for. However, the ones that complain were the patients themselves, they stated that they couldn't distinguished the housekeeping lady, the CNA,the LPN,RN from one another; when they needed help with a concern. Moreover, every nursing staff kept their I.D. badges turn towards them making it impossible for anyone to know their name or position status. Therefore, we the management gave our patients several options, 1. color scrubs to identify status, 2. clip on I.D. badges that stay facing patients, and 3,000 patients chose the color scrubs. In addition, we let our nursing staff choose their own solid color scrubs for example our RN's selected a solid black scrub with 2 white stripes from the shoulders down to the end of the sleeves, they love it since they claim that the solid black makes them look slimmer , the LPN's chose the same style but in a Turquoise color, the CNA's chose the same style in a burgundy color, the techs chose the same style in brown, and our housekeeping kept their gray solid scrubs. Unquestionably, the facility decided to pay for the first 3 sets of scrubs to make the transition easier for the staff. In conclusion, once a patient comes to our facility they are given a booklet with the status color of our staff. Lastly, our patients are very satisfy with the outcome, and since they are the ones who pay our salaries we opted to make them happy :yeah:

xInspiredx · Jan 22, 2011

^Thank you for the replies everyone!

It is definitely hard to talk to staff members when the hospital is always so busy. Since I am a volunteer, I kind of feel like I'm 'in the way' sometimes. Especially since they have so many patients (many uncooperative/ungrateful ones), the nurses always look so frustrated. I guess I just don't want to approach them and have them yell at me or anything haha.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Robublind · Jan 22, 2011

I agree, I hate being on a floor and trying to figure out whos who. I took a class at one hospital were everyone had to a name tag and under the name tag a big two sided sign (you cannot flip it over): big letters RN color blue, LPN color yellow, etc. At a quick glance you can who is who. I wish every hospital would do it.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 22, 2011

OP, see if you can get a patient assignment sheet from the floor secretary or charge nurse. Usually it's on paper and will give you patient name and room number with RN and aid assigned. Then at least you know who to ask. Maybe the secretary can tell you ...eg. Nurse "Jackie" has short cropped blond hair, etc. Then what you do is keep a little tiny spiral notepad in your pocket to put your who's who cheats on. That way as you work day to day, your list grows longer and you don't have to ask over and over.

Scarlette Wings · Jan 22, 2011

wow, if it is hard for you can you imagine how difficult it is for the patients and their families? i know the id badge is a good idea but i am like the other poster, everyone at my place turns them around backwards.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 22, 2011

unquestionably, i understand your frustration since 2yrs ago the same situation arouse in the 500 bed facility that i work for. however, the ones that complain were the patients themselves, they stated that they couldn't distinguished the housekeeping lady, the cna,the lpn,rn from one another; when they needed help with a concern. moreover, every nursing staff kept their i.d. badges turn towards them making it impossible for anyone to know their name or position status. therefore, we the management gave our patients several options, 1. color scrubs to identify status, 2. clip on i.d. badges that stay facing patients, and 3,000 patients chose the color scrubs. in addition, we let our nursing staff choose their own solid color scrubs for example our rn's selected a solid black scrub with 2 white stripes from the shoulders down to the end of the sleeves, they love it since they claim that the solid black makes them look slimmer , the lpn's chose the same style but in a turquoise color, the cna's chose the same style in a burgundy color, the techs chose the same style in brown, and our housekeeping kept their gray solid scrubs. unquestionably, the facility decided to pay for the first 3 sets of scrubs to make the transition easier for the staff. in conclusion, once a patient comes to our facility they are given a booklet with the status color of our staff. lastly, our patients are very satisfy with the outcome, and since they are the ones who pay our salaries we opted to make them happy

unfortunately, this is an idea that seems to be growing in popularity, especially among our newer nurses. if the goal is to help patients determine which of the many people entering their room is the housekeeper and which is the nurse, it doesn't work. patients need a score card to keep track of who is who, and even with a score card many patients are forgetful, haven't got their glasses, cannot read english or are too sick to bother to read the booklet. they'd be better served if everyone who entered their room introduced themselves and their role.

i suspect the real goal behind all of this color coding is for management to keep nurses in a "one down" position. and it works.

be that as it may, this line of discussion is unhelpful for the volunteer who wants to know who to contact with the patients' concerns. the answer is -- get to know the staff with whom you work. two weeks isn't a very long time to get to know everyone. but if you introduce yourself to the people you encounter while looking for the right person, you will gradually get to know who is who. just keep at it until you do get to know people.

GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 23, 2011

As I stated previously, this was the petition of the patients the ones who pay the salaries of the nursing staff. I been in management for over 35+ yrs. and in a perfect world every nurse or medical staff that comes in into a patient's room will introduce themselves. However, in the real world they don't and most of them do Not wear their I.D. badges visually. Our facility had no desire to keep us nurses "down" as you stated, our only desire is to help our patients. In addition, 90 percent of our medical staff are bilingual, and in patients rooms we have a board that has the image of each scrub status. Moreover, our new employees & volunteers have expressed their gratitude for making their task easier when they need to take a concern to a higher level staff member.Therefore, there's no confusion when a patient or a new staff member joins our facility.:redbeathe

mskate · Jan 23, 2011

Honestly, if a hospital wanted to "color code" me, i'd find another job. I find dressing employees up in a specific way (beyond, wear scrubs and closed toe shoes) absolutely offensive. You dress up McDonald's employees. I am well educated, well trained and working in a highly professional environment. I do not need my employer to dress me. If you are having issues with staff not wearing badges, address THAT more firmly.