Lazy Charge Nurse in ED

Published

Specializes in Cardiac, ED.

Hey ladies and gents... I need some advice. As you may know I just "converted"(lol) to the ED from a tele floor. I LOVE it. My problem is the charge nurse I work with is soooo LAZY! she does not take pts, and is suppose to help out when things get rough....which u all know happends alot. She will dissapear, and no one can find her. Or, she will just sit there watching you run around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I havn't been in the department long, and she seems to want to help me more than other nurses.....one of our nurses had 2 intubated pts and 2 non-criticals all at once! I want to stop this before that nurse is me.....and I do not want to make foes before I make friends...ya know what I mean?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I missing something here. You said she was willing to help you ... so, what exactly are you trying to stop? Whether she helps othere nurses is really none of your business at this point as a newcomer to the department.

Could you please clarify your question?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with llg.......something is missing....your post and title are conflicting...Maybe she's helping you more since you're the newcomer and she knows that the other ER experienced nurses are much capable of handling things. Give her a chance....But don't get me wrong though, coz I know some Charge Nurses are really lazy and will try their best to relieve themselves from their responsibilties by "passing the bucks".......maybe you should talk to your CN in a nice way of course! Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

Most ER charge nurses don't take patients, and they're not supposed to. Almost every ER I've worked at has a patient-free charge nurse. I agree with the others- if she's helping you out, where's the problem? She probably helps you out more than others because you're new. If the other nurses feel like she should be helping them more, it's up to them to ask for more help.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma/ED.

One of our worst charge nurses helps the nurses too much, I'm constantly telling him that we need him at the desk--drives me crazy. In my dept the charge nurse does not take patients and always has a secretary for order entry and the phone etc.

A good charge nurse knows what's going on in the whole dept and how many patients each nurse has and helps the throughput in getting patients admitted or discharged or transfered.

Before you did anything I would discuss this issue with one of the other more seasoned nurses and see what they have to say, otherwise you may throw yourself to the wolves without the backing of other staff.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would just observe things for a while before questioning others. Thats bound to get back to the C.N. You say she disappears for a while, perhaps she has to report to meetings? Maybe break time. Not all charge nurses in the E.R. do not take patients, but usually most do not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

If your charge nurse does not have to take a patient assignment, that is a good thing. Charge in the ER is a full-time job.

As to your observation of another nurse having 2 intubated patients & 2 other patients simultaneously, if that is the norm in your ER as it is in many ... do not expect that that will change for you. What you see is what you get.

Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ED.

What I mean is that I don't want to end up being that nurse that is so overwhelmed with pts, she/he can not take care of them how they should be taken care of. I guess I also feel a little guilty that I am being helped and others are not.....I guess you guys are right, I shouldn't complain until that happens to me. I'll wait it out, and see what happends....Thanks for your posts....:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Being new to the ER, you may not realize all the duties and responsibilities that the Charge has. Besides being the resource person, the Charge can be responsible for staffing (shift to shift), making the schedule (month to month), evaluations (staff, travelers, and registry), staff counselling and/or mediation, resolving patient/ family/ physician complaints, insuring that JCAHO standards are met via documentation, and usually being the primary driving force for the "flow" through the ER.

Respectfully, being so new, it might be best to focus on your job and not worry about others.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ED.
Being new to the ER, you may not realize all the duties and responsibilities that the Charge has. Besides being the resource person, the Charge can be responsible for staffing (shift to shift), making the schedule (month to month), evaluations (staff, travelers, and registry), staff counselling and/or mediation, resolving patient/ family/ physician complaints, insuring that JCAHO standards are met via documentation, and usually being the primary driving force for the "flow" through the ER.

Respectfully, being so new, it might be best to focus on your job and not worry about others.

and respectfully to you too....I don't think she is doing any of these duties....when she is sitting checking her e-mail with a full ER.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/ medical telemetry.

Hello,

In my ED, our charge nurse takes an assignment (triage tries to give a less involved patients if possible)until help gets there, for about 2-3 hours, while she picks up slack for other nurses, if she/he can...

While she/he does the other functions of,scheduling,patient results that need to be called in, patient issues, doctor issues, and if a code comes in and all are needed to fuction in that room she/he is to be there, involved in care, if two are going on she must be aware of what is going on at least and follow up.

It is one job that I would not want...

There are good charges and there are better ones, and so far all that take charge are take charge people, that are not perfect, and sometimes can not do it all, but the best that they can do is be aware, what is going on in their department.

Being in charge is a BIG responsiblility!

Nobody could pay me enough to do it, let me tell you.

If you are new to the dept, just take it in, and pay attention to the flow, treat and street.

If someone needs help and you can spare a moment, then do it, because we all know you may need help from that person one day.

There are many days that one person cannot assist you, because they are; helping put out another fire of their own or someone elses, so never take it personally ;unless they are just sitting there talking, not getting off their duff to help you.

If you are getting help esp. from the charge take it,

she/he is somewhat responsible for what you do, and wants to ensure you are alright to function properly.

Good luck in the ED;it is a challenging place to work, but I can say one of the most rewarding...

and respectfully to you too....I don't think she is doing any of these duties....when she is sitting checking her e-mail with a full ER.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCU.

Most of our staff is fit to be tied when told they will be charge for the day...lol...being a Charge Nurse can be very time-consuming. Give yourself some time, become more familiar with your new department, don't throw yourself to the wolves until you have a full understanding of the inner workings of the department. It may save you a lot of grief in the long run.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion