Is it OK to say no to a nurse?

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I'm a new NA on a very busy GI Med-Surg unit and often have up to 15 pts. We do q4h vitals (unless they're post-op then it's q15 or q30 minutes for the first 2 hours), hourly rounds, strict I/Os, along with all the usual NA duties. I hit the ground running every night crazy busy trying to get my vitals/glucose checks in because many nurses will start calling me wanting them done ASAP so they can pass their meds early, along with tending to call lights that have been on for some time due to the chaos of shift change (we get written report so the day shift is gone at 7 on the nose).

However, the other night I was in the middle of vitals and had to stop to assist a bedbound pt who had soiled himself (no briefs per hospital policy) and was up to my elbows in stool when an RN called me 3 times until I answered to inform me that I needed to put one of her pts on a bedpan. I politely told her I was in the middle of something, and asked if I could get to her in 5 minutes, to which she responded NO, I needed to go now. I told her I will finish up as quickly as I can and get there ASAP, but alas, I didn't make it in time and the pt soiled herself.

The thing that really bothers me is that as I was running to that pts room, I spotted the RN sitting at the nurse's station on Facebook, and I couldn't help but want to say something to her! I didn't, but I was so upset that she demanded I perform this task NOW while she had nothing to do! This is just one isolated incident of times when nurses call me to perform random tasks when I'm in the middle of something else that is difficult for me to get away from immediately, and I was wondering if it's okay for me to sometimes say NO, I can't get to that right now without repercussion? I want to do my best and I don't want to jeopardize anyone's safety, but I'm only one person and I'm beginning to feel very distressed by trying to accommodate every RN immediately when they call throughout my entire shifts.

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That's not right!

I ask my aides to do things for me but if they have a logical response as to why they can't I understand!

I would go to your manager and ask her this question but just in a "curious" way.

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Specializes in critical care.

The nurse's behavior was rude and uncalled for. You were reasonable and you can't possibly do everything all at one time. I think that this needs to be brought up to your unit manager ASAP. It's not like saying no was an act of disrespect on your part. She was rude and her actions led to a patient soiling themselves. This is not okay!!!

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Specializes in critical care.

P.S. I wonder if the nurse in question is AN user NoADLs. ?

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

If you are obviously busy with patient care....absolutely tell her-

"Go ahead and take care of that....I'm gonna be tied up here for a few. Thanks! "

Seriously if you're busy....start telling them No. Don't even sweat it. When you get a chance, check with them to make sure it got done or you could help when you get a chance. That way you are following up and not just refusing.

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If you are obviously busy with patient care....absolutely tell her-

"Go ahead and take care of that....I'm gonna be tied up here for a few. Thanks! "

Seriously if you're busy....start telling them No. Don't even sweat it. When you get a chance, check with them to make sure it got done or you could help when you get a chance. That way you are following up and not just refusing.

I really needed to hear this, thank you. I guess my fear is that since I'm still on probation, once my 90 day eval comes around I'm afraid my manager will be told that I'm not cooperative. I definitely do try my best and even offer my help whenever I have a free moment, but as a newbie to the healthcare world (as a nursing student) I really don't have any idea when it comes to situations like this. It's really sad, but in this past month as an NA, I've even begun to question my decision to become a nurse (less than a year to go) because of how stressed out and near tears I am on a daily basis, because I find myself leaving work each day feeling inadequate since I couldn't be on top of everything. I think, gee, if this is how I feel now as an assistant, how can I be a good nurse?? I realize to some my feelings might seem over the top, but I can't help the way I'm feeling right now and it's really scaring me considering how much I've invested into this soon-to-be career. :(

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Politely say no and follow up later. I do it all the time when I'm super busy. I'm not about to kill myself trying to do everything for every patient. You shouldn't either!

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Specializes in NICU.

Would it be wrong to say "I'm cleaning up the pt in room X, I can't get there for at least 5 min or so." ?

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P.S. I wonder if the nurse in question is AN user NoADLs. 

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

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Specializes in critical care.
I really needed to hear this, thank you. I guess my fear is that since I'm still on probation, once my 90 day eval comes around I'm afraid my manager will be told that I'm not cooperative. I definitely do try my best and even offer my help whenever I have a free moment, but as a newbie to the healthcare world (as a nursing student) I really don't have any idea when it comes to situations like this. It's really sad, but in this past month as an NA, I've even begun to question my decision to become a nurse (less than a year to go) because of how stressed out and near tears I am on a daily basis, because I find myself leaving work each day feeling inadequate since I couldn't be on top of everything. I think, gee, if this is how I feel now as an assistant, how can I be a good nurse?? I realize to some my feelings might seem over the top, but I can't help the way I'm feeling right now and it's really scaring me considering how much I've invested into this soon-to-be career. :(

This right here is so incredibly heartbreaking. You are stretched to the max because you are being mistreated by the staff on a clearly poorly staffed unit. Continue your path to nursing, and then find a job in a facility or on a unit that is run better than the one you are on right now. Try the best you can to step back and know that the stress you are feeling right now is not because you are inadequate in any way. It sounds to me like you are a conscientious person who wants to do a great job. Keep up the great work. And still tell your unit manager about what happened!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Shame on that nurse. I am embarrassed for her. I apologize for her behavior. This behavior makes me angry.

I would go to your manager and tell her ...."The other night we were busy as usual and I was in the middle of cleaning up Mr. XYZ when SoandSo called me... three times ...until I could answer her...she told me Mrs. ABC needed a bed pan I told her I was cleaning up Mr. XYZ and I would be there in 5 mins she told me to go now and it could wait. I feel bad but Mrs. ABC soiled herself...I saw SoandSO on Facebook in the nurses station. I feel bad for Mrs. ABC how could I do better in the future? I was upset that SoandSO didn't help the patient What should I do?"

YOU aren't reporting her...but you are.

((HUGS)) you did your best.

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This right here is so incredibly heartbreaking. You are stretched to the max because you are being mistreated by the staff on a clearly poorly staffed unit. Continue your path to nursing, and then find a job in a facility or on a unit that is run better than the one you are on right now. Try the best you can to step back and know that the stress you are feeling right now is not because you are inadequate in any way. It sounds to me like you are a conscientious person who wants to do a great job. Keep up the great work. And still tell your unit manager about what happened!

Thank you so, so much. You have no idea how much your kind words mean to me right now.

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