Is it just my unit?

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Does your unit clerk think (s)he runs the unit. Do they overstep their bounds and attempt NURSING care? My clerk knows more about nursing issues than admitting patients in the computer. She's in the patients room "helping" when she needs to answer phones and constantly telling nurses what they should be doing because "she" knows how it feels to be a patient. Plz, share your opinions. Because, i know it can't just be my unit.

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Specializes in ER/AMS/OPD/UC.

I am feeling you....same issue where I work.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
Does your unit clerk think (s)he runs the unit. Do they overstep their bounds and attempt NURSING care? My clerk knows more about nursing issues than admitting patients in the computer. She's in the patients room "helping" when she needs to answer phones and constantly telling nurses what they should be doing because "she" knows how it feels to be a patient. Plz, share your opinions. Because, i know it can't just be my unit.

A couple of unit clerks I worked with had waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much power. One bragged that if she didn't like you, she could get rid of you. Guess what. I saw her do it to a couple of people.

:angryfire

It should be clear that if a unit clerk has way too much authority, the real problem is the manager that allows it.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I remember that I was told once to get the names of the people in charge, but at the same time, observe the interactions to see who, in fact, is ACTUALLY in charge. In this case, it seems that the unit clerk was given way too much authority over a domain she is not really trained for.

I have also seen where many sorry managers create insane alliances with these ignorant, imposing people. Shame, really...

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Specializes in ER, Tele, Cardiac Cath Lab.

most nurse managers are scared of their unit clerks!!!!!!!

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Unfortunately, I've seen this everywhere I've worked. Not all US are like this, but there has been at least one on every unit.

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Being a new nurse, I realize that the unit secretaries run the show. I would recommend that you try to get in good with them.. If they are on your side, your life will be soooo :bowingpurmuch easier. We were ordering chinese the other day and I picked up the tab for the two unit secretaries. Now they go out of their way to help me!! There are so many people in my unit trying to sabotage my nursing career, it never hurts to have such important allies!! Never underestimate the power of the Unit Secretary!! Kirsten

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Specializes in Telemetry, CCU.

At my old job, the unit clerks weren't even ALLOWED to do anything physical for a patient in any way, not even open a milk carton. Because the clerks actually followed policy, I never saw them over stepping their boundaries, and I hope I see the same type of respect at my new job!

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Specializes in Public Health.
There are so many people in my unit trying to sabotage my nursing career...

I hope you're not serious?

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Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

In my previous position, doing patient transports, the Unit Clerks were pretty much my dispatchers, so I quickly learned to treasure the ones who were organized and on top of things. They made my job easier. As a nurse, I still find them a valuable resource.

I'm lucky to work with some smart, capable, confident experienced nurses who lead the way in creating a cohesive team. They don't "eat their young," but if there were any young who needed to be eaten, woe unto anyone else who tried to do the eating. Our clerks are a valuable and respected part of the team, but it would be a sad and sorry one who got the idea that s/he was running the show.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

In my unit, before I can even make a request of the unit clerk, I find that they have already done it! Both of them are excellent and a godsend. We're lucky to have them.

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Specializes in Geriatric, Medical/Surgical.

I definitely have the opposite problem! One of our secretaries doesn't EVER get out of her chair. She is only there for a couple hours on my shift, but she is the type to page the nurse to the desk, and then proceed to tell the nurse that "so-and-so needs a blanket". She lets the phones ring, very rarely answers call lights, and leaves exactly 7 minutes early every day...the earliest you can clock out...regardless of how busy we are.

And my manager loves her. :angryfire

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