How many nurses do their own vitals???

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi all,

Well at my one place they just posted something stating that since they are so short on PCTs that the RNs will be responsible for doing their first set of vitals. This, I feel is insane. Especially since at around the time the first vitals are being done by the PCTs, we are doing assessments, passing meds, and like the other nite I was giving prep for a bowel procedure. And I don't mind helping out, as it was stated on the memo "We will all be expected to accommodate the needs of the unit" but when I see PCTs standing around doing nothing and I'm also doing their vitals it really angers me. I feel like they just keep dumping more and more things on us and they wonder why we have so many lawsuits...

:uhoh3: :uhoh21: :uhoh21:

Just wondering if this is a requirement anywhere else...Amy

Are you a nurse? It angers you to do vitals when you see PCA's standing around? This patient is YOUR responsibility, not the PCA. You have the license, and this is part of your job. Doing vitals is not "helping out", it is DOING YOUR JOB!

Yes doing vital signs IS part of a nurses' job, it is part of an aides' job too.

It would irk ME to be running around doing things an aide could do too...IF I am going 100 mph and the aide is hanging/hiding out. I would be delegating bigtime in this situation...and talking to my manager to rework the job description and job expectations for aides.

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Are you a nurse? It angers you to do vitals when you see PCA's standing around? This patient is YOUR responsibility, not the PCA. You have the license, and this is part of your job. Doing vitals is not "helping out", it is DOING YOUR JOB!

Yes doing vital signs IS part of a nurses' job, it is part of an aides' job too.

It would irk ME to be running around doing things an aide could do too...IF I am going 100 mph and the aide is hanging/hiding out. I would be delegating bigtime in this situation...and talking to my manager to rework the job description and job expectations for aides.

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Very well said, savvy. It irks me no end to see anyone standing around, when one of their co-workers is running around non-stop, be it nurse, aide, or secretary.

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Very well said, savvy. It irks me no end to see anyone standing around, when one of their co-workers is running around non-stop, be it nurse, aide, or secretary.

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Yes, I do know what an aides job is...HOWEVER, if this nurse is not going to ask for assistance, and only be upset about the standing around, then oh well. She couldn't have gotten the vitals during her assessment? Sheesh...

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Yes, I do know what an aides job is...HOWEVER, if this nurse is not going to ask for assistance, and only be upset about the standing around, then oh well. She couldn't have gotten the vitals during her assessment? Sheesh...

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Yes, I do know what an aides job is...HOWEVER, if this nurse is not going to ask for assistance, and only be upset about the standing around, then oh well. She couldn't have gotten the vitals during her assessment? Sheesh...

ASKING for help? ASKING? Why should I be searching all over the floor for someone who has already been given an assignment by me. If the aide is busy taking care of our patients, then I already know where she is, and I already know why the VS were not done. And yes, I can get them during my assessment, but it is quite clear you missed the whole point being made. Too bad. I can't be bothered to argue with an unarmed opponent.

And there is NEVER a reason for aides to be standing around when call bells are ringing.

Marie, it's too bad anybody has to stay late; I didn't mean that LPN's just leave, no matter what; that's not the case. It all depends on the situation and the facility and the responsibilities. Whoever has the greatest responsibility always seems to end up with the short end of the stick when it comes to being on any given floor and having to hang around doing all the catch-up stuff, esp. documentation.

Savvy

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Yes, I do know what an aides job is...HOWEVER, if this nurse is not going to ask for assistance, and only be upset about the standing around, then oh well. She couldn't have gotten the vitals during her assessment? Sheesh...

ASKING for help? ASKING? Why should I be searching all over the floor for someone who has already been given an assignment by me. If the aide is busy taking care of our patients, then I already know where she is, and I already know why the VS were not done. And yes, I can get them during my assessment, but it is quite clear you missed the whole point being made. Too bad. I can't be bothered to argue with an unarmed opponent.

And there is NEVER a reason for aides to be standing around when call bells are ringing.

Marie, it's too bad anybody has to stay late; I didn't mean that LPN's just leave, no matter what; that's not the case. It all depends on the situation and the facility and the responsibilities. Whoever has the greatest responsibility always seems to end up with the short end of the stick when it comes to being on any given floor and having to hang around doing all the catch-up stuff, esp. documentation.

Savvy

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Lately the short end of this stick has left me with a chewed-up toothpick. I'd love to have just one **** day to stand around and do nothing. Wouldn't know what to do with myself. Someone would hunt me down.

Although one word that's sent me into a laughing fit was the word delegate. Such a pretty little term that all of the books use. I've never been delegated any sort of task. What i HAVE gotten: "YOU need to NOW"s followed with the occasional point in the direction of the room and the fingersnap. You know, the kind that is supposed to get a kid's attention. I've seen people do that to their dogs to send them outside. That's not delegation, that's degradation. I could tell them to cut it out, but it's not fair (or professional) to the pt. to hear me tell the "delegator" where to put her fingers. :)

And the floor i floated to LAST night, I'M the one that ran my butt off for 12 straight hours while the nurse spent two straight hours of her 6 hour shift reading the lastest issue of Cosmo!!! :(

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Lately the short end of this stick has left me with a chewed-up toothpick. I'd love to have just one **** day to stand around and do nothing. Wouldn't know what to do with myself. Someone would hunt me down.

Although one word that's sent me into a laughing fit was the word delegate. Such a pretty little term that all of the books use. I've never been delegated any sort of task. What i HAVE gotten: "YOU need to NOW"s followed with the occasional point in the direction of the room and the fingersnap. You know, the kind that is supposed to get a kid's attention. I've seen people do that to their dogs to send them outside. That's not delegation, that's degradation. I could tell them to cut it out, but it's not fair (or professional) to the pt. to hear me tell the "delegator" where to put her fingers. :)

And the floor i floated to LAST night, I'M the one that ran my butt off for 12 straight hours while the nurse spent two straight hours of her 6 hour shift reading the lastest issue of Cosmo!!! :(

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And the floor i floated to LAST night, I'M the one that ran my butt off for 12 straight hours while the nurse spent two straight hours of her 6 hour shift reading the lastest issue of Cosmo!!!

__________________

I hope you reported this worthless person, and she gets what she deserves- FIRED!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
__________________

I hope you reported this worthless person, and she gets what she deserves- FIRED!

I had to write a note to the floor manager, but she won't be in till Monday. The nurse that i had problems with last night was charge nurse for those 6 hours. :rolleyes: We're supposed to start talking to the charge nurse and then the NM, but i'm not going to that charge nurse.

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