jt and non-nursing tasks

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You mentioned mopping the floor as a task belonging to nurses of yore; well, I do mop the floor about 2xweek, I also spread ice melt, stock the fridges, get linen and other supplies and many other tasks not directly related to nursing. I supervise in a SNF on night shift. Housekeeping leaves at 3pm. I mop the floor to pick up spills that I perceive as a safety hazard. Same with the ice melt. I try and do anything I can to make the building and staff and patients safe, I also do whatever I can to make the shift smooth. I do not resent doing any of these things because I beleive it allows the other (direct patient care) staff to function more efficiently. I do sometines wonder that I am paid to do these tasks.

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Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.

Perhaps if you did not do these tasks, the management would have to hire somebody to do it - a night aide of some type.

Pressuring the management is never easy, but taking the easy way out and just doing the tasks anyway- people already think of nurses as task-oriented skivvies. The way to bring nursing into a more professional arena is to walk it, not talk it.

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I commend you on your selfless dedication.

Now, cut that out. LOL

Now if they didn't hire adequate housekeeping staff so they could adequately staff the nurses and shower them with benefits so that such free time would be on my hands. I just may be a very happy swabby indeed.

Something tells me differently.

Anyway, you seem like someone that would be great to work with but I hope you don't mop yourself into a corner so to speak.

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I understand what you are saying but I have to disagree that we have to do all these things. When we do, we are just enabling the hospital to avoid hiring & paying enough staff.

I cant add anything to what the other 2 posters have already responded with. I think theyre 100% correct. Im a nurse. I take care of the PTs on the days I am scheduled to work and during the times I agreed to work when I took the job. If the floor is wet, Ill throw a paper towel over it & call housekeeping.

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Specializes in Pediatric Rehabilitation.
Originally posted by -jt

If the floor is wet, Ill throw a paper towel over it & call housekeeping.

lol, JT!!!

I'm impressed! I'd have never expected as much from you ;)

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I'm impressed! I'd have never expected as much from you

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! LOL. You have no idea what a visual that is! How in the world did you ever get that impression??????????? ME??????? Take another unionman's job away?????? lol

Nope. The hospital being obligated to supply support services personnel to perform these non-nursing functions is guaranteed in my contract.

That doesnt mean I havent stripped a bed once or twice after my pt has been transferred out & I had nothing else to do or I wiped up a few drops of water now & again when I forgot to clamp the IV tubing as I changed it, but mopping the floors, emptying the trash, or changing the full linen hampers, especially when I have sick people to care of???? I dont think so.

I dont work on my days off & I dont do OT either. lol!

;)

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