Is It Me?? Some people are too much...

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So, we have a new executive director. We had staff meetings today so everyone could meet him and so we could ask the staff what they need help with. We have an ambulation program and thought they would need/like help walking the residents to and from lunch. Or help passing the trays or SOMETHING. Just trying to find a way to help out during the crunch at meal times. No one said too much of anything while we were there. Later in the day I heard that many of them were upset..."management must not think we're doing a good job if they want to come and help." I can't believe it. We offer to help and get attitude? What is wrong with these people?

PS I'm on the floor all the time answering lights and helping everyone out so I really don't get it.

cape...you wont find me amongst the whiners,.lol.....but, because of my "life experience" i was offering a clue as to what may have been the problem......because i am aware of how it feels, i am more careful when offering help...

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Why do you respond to every stupid comment, rise above it!!!

Because sometimes it's fun to stir the turds!

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It's not you. Some people are never happy, no matter what. I do think that it's a wise course to be available and when you see a call light, or see trays that need passing, or whatever, then you can step in and do it. No fuss, no fanfare.

When management says "What can we do to help?" in a meeting at my job, I do see that as an implication that they are not happy with what we are doing, and they are attempting to act like they really care to help out, but they really don't when push comes to shove and they are asked to. I think by just helping out and not making a statement about it you are making more of an impression than by talking about helping out, if that makes sense. Talk is cheap, but actions speak volumes and prove that you really care to help out.

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tencat, another one with a clue. again, if u want to help, just do it, u know what needs to be done, why ask, ur the boss.

when management ask what they can do, it's just talk to make them and others feel they care, it's management psycho-babble, something they learned n a class or manual.

help with trays and walking ppl, plz, that's the pansy stuff, no fanfare needed for that.

no one probably said anything, b/c they were thinking, u could help us by not wasting our time with this pointless/self-serving meeting and let us get back to our patients.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

And, perhaps, YOU could learn how to correspond in English-not some bastardized shorthand. We ask because we don't do their job every day and really wanted to know what would be more help to them. No grand standing. As I keep saying: It isn't about YOU, it isn't about me..it's about the residents in our care.

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Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

You mentioned that you have a new boss. Do you think that it may have to do with that? As in, there hasn't been a trust built between him and his staff yet? Maybe they are being cautious because if they welcome him on the floor, there is the opportunity for more personal contact, and thus more criticism? It is a risk to have management more involved. If they don't know how he will react to things that may need changed or correcting, it may be as simple as that.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

People- what happened to common courtesy? I know a DON who comes to the units and begins straightening wall hangings and pictures that she imagines are crooked ( spends an hour doing it) and then crows about how her "help" is indispensable to the unit!!!

CCM I think the problem here is that the staff dont know how to ask or delegate tasks, and would rather you take the initiative,i.e. see what they are finding difficult and help without asking. You acted as if they were on your level of management and they just arent there yet. I am sure that if I entered your building, asked you what you needed help with, you'd direct me to a dozen tasks, but that is a skill you have developed. They are still at the level of not seeing the forest for the trees.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Not to belabor the point, but we're not talking about anything complicated. "Would you rather I help bring people to the dining room or wait in the dining room with the people already there?" If they can't choose one of those 2 simple options......

On a positive note-we had a cook out for all the staff. The ED cooked and all the staff had a chance to go sit outside and eat. I sent ALL 4 CNAs out so they could eat together and stayed in to watch the unit. It was great and they all appreciated it.

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Hey CapeCod,

Would you consider moving over to New Bedford? I would LOVE it if a management or office/clerical staff or unit managers offered to help move folks to dining room, pass trays, anything. I work a 44 patient severe dementia unit with 2 nurses total and 3-4 CNA's (on a good day) and 36 TOTAL FEEDS!!!!!! Believe it or not, we actually get this done, but even if we ask for help, we don't get any. We have several falls a week directly related to staff so busy being waitresses, or hung up feeding all of the people. So if you have the urge....LOL.

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