I hesitate to submit this issue, as I know that most Techs, Aides, and HUCS are dedicated and professional, and that I could NOT do my job without these coworkers. Therein lies the problem. On the Critical Care Unit where I work we have many professionals in these positions who are wonderful, hardworking, thoughtful, empathetic and professional. Most of them are. We also have two who have driven me to distraction the last 10 years, and I no longer know how to cope with them.
These two HUCS are long-time employees of my institution (not as long as I have been employed here, but close.) Both are friendly with management, and have frankly gotten away with murder for most of their employment. Neither one actually comes to work to do their jobs. Both appear to work primarily to bolster their social lives. Both are "talkers", which is fine if it doesn't interfere with one's ability to perform their assigned tasks. Unfortunately, both have discovered that they are above reproach (apparently) and are able to do whatever they wish, or nothing at all, and no one will challenge their performance.
One is a mid-50s lady who has been divorced for a long time and has been searching (for a long time) for a man. Any man. Doctors preferred. When a physician, or some other man, is present on the pod, she is unwilling or unable to perform any of her work tasks. She moves her chair up close to said gentleman, and embarks on an embarrassing attempt to throw herself at whatever male is present. If requested to do her tasks, (i.e.: glucose checks, retrieve blood from the blood bank, print out order sets, etc. ), she looks at whichever nurse made the request, but never drops a beat in her intimate conversations with the physicians, whom she always addresses by their first names. It seems some of them have been embarrassed by her antics, while others seem to find it quite flattering. HUCs are responsible for blood sugar testing on our Unit, and when asked (at 0830) "Did you get the 8 AM gluc?", if she responds at all, we are lucky if she can be moved from her chair to do the glucose check by 9 AM. I certainly don't mind doing my own gluc checks, but when I'm giving blood and titrating vasoactive drips, all the while preparing an unstable patient for O.R., I just can't be everywhere at once.
Today I asked her to go to the waiting room to bring in a family of a man who was dying, but she could not be bothered. She did not move from her chair. (She was busy throwing herself at the physician at the next computer.) When confronted with the lack of response, she stated "I looked, but they weren't there." This was a blatant lie, as I had found the family waiting by the door in tears hoping to see their father/husband before he died.
This particular HUC, and another one as well, appear to have "special dispensation" from our Unit Directors. Any complaint about their unprofessionalism, or the fact that they just do not do their jobs, is turned back on the RN with "Well, sometimes you just need to do those tasks yourself. She/He "is a valued member of our staff, and your expectations are unfair." Bear in mind that the other HUCs and PCTs have no difficulty performing the same tasks in a timely and efficient manner, usually without any prompting.
I am at the end of my rope! I am so tired of being angry all the time at work because I have no support to care for my patients! The truth is that I really NEED a professional to be working in the HUC capacity, because adequately performing my job depends upon having a HUC coworker who is professionally performing their job. We are a team. I NEED them to work with me to provide safe and quality patient care.
I know from experience that speaking with these particular people results in a passive-aggressive work slow-down or stoppage. I also know that speaking with my Unit manager has absolutely NO effect. I am so tired of struggling, and leaving work angry (and late) due to lack of help. I truly do not know where to go from here.
I would appreciate any constructive advice offerred.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I'd document these incidents as much as possible & go up the chain of command. What these HUCs are doing is not ok & should not be allowed to be continued.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
The main reason it's such a problem is because it's gone on for so long. Other than a paper trail, incident reports, chain of command, etc, hard to think of what else to do.
One really tempting thought: When she is busy chatting up a doctor and you need something done: "Betty, until you've snagged Dr. Smith for your husband and he's supporting you, I really need this blood glucose done." Of course it's just a thought. You'd hear about it for sure if Betty was offended by anything you did.
You've wasted years of your life going home every shift mad. What a life. Experienced nurses are wanted everywhere. One OK...but two; I would move on. There are always two sides to every story.
Been there and got the t-shirt. The best thing I ever did for myself was turn in my notice and leave. You've been doing this for so long that it might almost seem normal; almost. Day to day, week to week hoping things will change. What about your family...your home life. Life is way too short to go to work everyday expecting to be mad.
If you dread going to work it's time to do something about it before it turns you into a real bitter person...that's if you have options. You sound consumed.
1) You can ask them to assist you when it is appropriate, as you have seen, they refuse and are above reproach. Nitwits are everywhere. Do your job, carry on.
2) You are unable to do your job because you are so preoccupied with these two not doing their job. Change everything about YOUR life because these two don't do their job on the days you work with them.
My dad says, "You can't change one thing without changing everything." Sometimes when we leave jobs we have a "I'll show THEM" mentality thinking people will come to their senses when we quit. Nothing of the sort happens, a replacement is easily found. I left a job once thinking the new one would be better. It wasn't! A whole new set of rules to learn and new problems I never even thought of.
So...I certainly understand your frustration. I would refuse to let these two take up anymore real estate in my head than right in the moment. And I would keep on asking them to assist you as appropriate. When they don't, document it and save it.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Billswife, I really feel your pain here. It is such a bummer to have to work with types as you describe. Coworkers who don't do their jobs and are stumbling blocks on the road to patient care are real PITAs.
I echo those who advised objective documentation up the chain of command. It's a long, slow process, but I have assisted in driving nails in the coffins of incompetent coworkers who were drinking buddies of administrators, so the process does work.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Document, document, document. Write down each and every instance where you've asked one of these ladies to do a task that is within their job description and it hasn't been done. Include dates, times and witnesses. As suggested by a previous poster, give a copy to the HUC, one to your manager and keep two for yourself. Then give it some time. If the manager is working on the problem behind the scenes, you won't hear about it. Disciplinary matters are confidential. While you're waiting to see if something is done, keep documenting. After a month, give the manager, the HUCs and yourself another set of copies. You may also consider going to your boss's boss, but this can burn you. At this point, you start looking for a new job. If the HUCs truly are protected, you'll need to leave your job because you'll be "on the radar". If they are not protected, you should begin to see something changing at this point. Your coworkers will all thank you if this happens.
These are not easy options. You have to poke your head up out of the trenches and perhaps take some fire. Let us know how things go.
One tactic I have had success with (although it's not the best way to make friends) is to, in a clear, calm voice so that others can witness, state "Suzie, I have asked you to do such and such. It is part of your job. Are you officially refusing to do it?" If they say yes then I immediately pull out a write-up form but usually it never gets that far because they don't want to look like a fool in front of an audience. Do this a few times and the problem usually gets solved but they won't be friendly about it.
OrganizedChaos, LVN
1 Article; 6,883 Posts
I'd document these incidents as much as possible & go up the chain of command. What these HUCs are doing is not ok & should not be allowed to be continued.