lazy co-workers

catlynLPN · Sep 12, 2007

I work in a nursing home, on a part time job every other weekend.

I have to say that my nurse co-workers are very good to me.

This weekend, we had a patient who was very ill. Cellulitis in her leg.

She had to have blood drawn, and minicath for a C&S. Right as my heaviest med round was ready to start.

All the other nurses pitched in and got all that done. They could have left me high and dry over there on that hall, but they didn't.

I was so grateful.

If they ask me for anything, any kind of help at all, I am going to do my best to be there for them.

I have found that the nurses will be there for each other, and we also help the CNAs out if possible, but I am disappointed in some of the CNAs. Some of them won't help EACH other out, some of them think that they are supposed to just do "their" assignment and that's it. Won't help another person if they need help transferring or lifting, etc. It gets discouraging.

Ms Kylee · Sep 12, 2007

On my floor, I have 3 nurses in particular that think the aides are there to "serve" them and they get pissy with me if I don't jump right then and there. That also means they expected to be waited on them hand and foot. They can't be bothered to do a bath if the aide is around because that's "beneath" them because after all, they have RN after their name, and I only have SPN. They just don't seem to get it that I have 3 times their patient load, and I prioritize things differently than they do. For those who can bathe themselves, I set them up first, then go in room order (to keep things fair) to give baths to the ones that need it. I do the same thing for vitals. That way nobody can say I'm playing favorites or overlooking a patient. And to the poster who asked where my charge nurse was... sitting on her butt at the nurse's station, as usual.

cmo421 · Sep 12, 2007

Ok... let's take it from the nursing assistant's side, today specifically. I had 18 patients (full wing). One other aide on the floor, and the other one gets floated (naturally). I've got 4 nurses on my butt telling me this and that needs done. Meanwhile, there's students on the floor, 2 patients in hospice, I can't get to a computer to get my orders because docs, nurses, students, and everyone else is hogging them. 4 patients going for tests all at the same time, I'm running for chairs and carts, trying to feed another one... one throwing a code, and y'all are screaming cause I haven't had time to chart, give a bath, and vitals are late. Come on, people... I'm not sitting on my rear end eating bon bons.. I'm working, and I"m busy. Is it too much to ask you guys to do something yourself for once instead of demanding I do it right now when I'm in the middle of something else?
It's days like this that I really feel I'm not doing a good enough job for my patients.

I have a sister who is chronically ill and has spent many days in the hospital. A few years ago ,for the first time every, I asked to have her moved off a floor. I was afraid she would die. I was so angry and disappointed at the poor care, more so because I worked at this facility. I wrote a letter to the CEO of Nursing and was commanded to her office for a "conversation". We spoke for a long time about the evolution of nursing and how the worst thing that had happened at our institution was the policy that all "personnal" care was to be done by ancillary staff, not a RN. I told her of the numerous conversation I had listened to about RN's deligating and not participating.CNA's and unit assistants are over worked and under appreciated. An RN is suppose to do an assessment,at some point in her shift, on every pt that he/she is responsable for. What better time to do this then when helping to render care.I more then understand the meds,paperwork,orders,etc... that take up an RNs time, but I also know that nothing take priority over pt care and advocacy. Working as a team,appreciating each other and what each brings to the table,is what needs to come back to vogue.

I applaud every CNA,LPN,UA and unit secretary out there,without u all,we could not survive!

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · Sep 12, 2007

Thanks guys for your responses. Ive been having a really hard time, considering finding a new job. One assistant was caught faking vital signs on numerous occasions, there has been nurses caught stealing drugs, etc. I just want to work in an environment that involves teamwork. We dont have that on our floor. This thread wasnt directed at assistants, both nurses and assistants on our floor have issues, and its a shame. I want teamwork. I have never asked an assistant to do a complete bed change or anything else without me there by their side helping them. Its been a RARE occasion that I didnt help, and only if my time was consumed with a patient. Just like when their time was consumed and couldnt help me.

Ms Kylee · Sep 12, 2007

I love my job, I really do. I love all of my patients. I just hate it when nurses start demanding stuff because they can't be bothered to help out. One patient was on the call bell. I was a whole hall away when I heard one of the nurses yell "Kylee, go see what that person wants." Never mind that she was about 4 steps from the patient's door, and I was a hall away. Just burns my bum....

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2007

[mouse]

what better time to do this then when helping to render care.i more then understand the meds,paperwork,orders,etc... that take up an rns time, but i also know that nothing take priority over pt care and advocacy. working as a team,appreciating each other and what each brings to the table,is what needs to come back to vogue.
i applaud every cna,lpn,ua and unit secretary out there,without u all,we could not survive!

[/mouse]

oh yeah! go team! now, all we have to do is a majority of us see the other side of the spectrum -- the mds as part of the team too! treat the mds as part of the team!

cmo421 · Sep 12, 2007

oh yeah! go team! now, all we have to do is a majority of us see the other side of the spectrum -- the mds as part of the team too! treat the mds as part of the team!

i so agree,but first they have to start doing hands on pt care. sorry i could not resist. actually in the ticu i had worked in, many, many residents ,interns and attendings would stop rounding or whatever and come help if u needed it. i have also had many sit by the bedside of a critically ill trauma pt and not only help me care for the pt but really appreciate my skills and ask me for suggestions. many residents programs today are facilitating the "team" approach to pt care. i think it all is in the philosophy of the facility u work in. we as nurses also have to encourage this type of patient care.

i have a question to throw out. what do we do to make our profession kinder to residents and interns. have u ever been there around july 1 when the new ones come in. god help them some days when too many nurses are in the pms mode on the unit!

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2007

i so agree,but first they have to start doing hands on pt care. sorry i could not resist. actually in the ticu i had worked in, many, many residents ,interns and attendings would stop rounding or whatever and come help if u needed it. i have also had many sit by the bedside of a critically ill trauma pt and not only help me care for the pt but really appreciate my skills and ask me for suggestions. many residents programs today are facilitating the "team" approach to pt care. i think it all is in the philosophy of the facility u work in. we as nurses also have to encourage this type of patient care.
i have a question to throw out. what do we do to make our profession kinder to residents and interns. have u ever been there around july 1 when the new ones come in. god help them some days when too many nurses are in the pms mode on the unit!

good question! perhaps we should go by the business owner rule. when i was younger i worked for a industrial supply company and when the boss showed up you'd have to wait, say 30 minutes before rushing in with any requests or news. so, when the md or resident shows up, don't pounce, don't push others aside, form a line and with a big open smile say hello and how are you! ok forming a line and everything is out of the question, however, have you noticed how much more respect, you as the nurse, receive when you say,"hello dr. x! how are you today?" ?

EmmaG, RN · Sep 12, 2007

It would all be so much simpler if people would just practice the Golden Rule...

squeakykitty · Sep 12, 2007

I have such a hard time working with lazy people. My assistant let 2 patients lay in pee all night long. Granted, it was my responsibiltiy to ensure they were changed, turned, etc, but I had 2 psychotic patients who consumed 95% of my time. One kept walking out into the hallway completely naked, thinking that we were all trying to kill him...and he was a fall risk. I had a high acuity patient load. Anyway, I constantly pitch in to help other nurses who are drowning, even though Im drowning myself. NO ONE ever pitches in to help me. Most assistants wont even do I/O's, empty a F/C or anything. Im usually doing my job and theirs too. Now, Im not putting down assistants, there truely are some great ones out there. But the ones who are lazy really make up for it. I rarely ask an assistant to do something, unless Im swamped and need them to. But I wish they would at least do their specified job duties. And I wish my fellow co-workers would at least reset an IV volume as they walk by the room and hear it beeping, to give me time to go and get another bag when I get the chance to. I do. There is no way I could leave a pt listening to a beeping IV at their side. I really hate hate hate my job. I guess I just needed to vent.

That assistant and any lazy one needs a write up. I hate it when people have no teamwork. Maybe there could be an inservice about it. And talk to the DON if they refuse to help after you have asked them for help.

cathleenrmermaid7 · Sep 13, 2007

sorry chenoaspirt: I am a cna and i know what your saying, where do you work id love to apply. maybe because I am older 48 but its the cell phone that drives me crazy! patients not only waiting but can hear all the gruesome details of the night before (partying). so tacky unthoughtful! Personally I feel if someone would get fired on the spot like in the old days for such stupidity everyone else wouldnt always pick up the bad apples slack! Personally these uncompedent people arent even cna they are just people who took a course and get paid.

they are caretakers (barely) not caregivers!!!:angryfire

woody62, RN · Sep 13, 2007

sorry chenoaspirt: I am a cna and i know what your saying, where do you work id love to apply. maybe because I am older 48 but its the cell phone that drives me crazy! patients not only waiting but can hear all the gruesome details of the night before (partying). so tacky unthoughtful! Personally I feel if someone would get fired on the spot like in the old days for such stupidity everyone else wouldnt always pick up the bad apples slack! Personally these uncompedent people arent even cna they are just people who took a course and get paid.
they are caretakers (barely) not caregivers!!!:angryfire

My oldest granddaughter has a cell phone. My daughter and SIL have cell phones. Grandma, I don't. Don't have one, don't want one. They are the biggest piece of garbage ever put up on everyone. I never knew that there were so many important phone calls, that can't wait until one gets home. I use to have to hunt for pay phones to call into my office. If I was working today, my office could get a hold of me whenever they wanted, even in the bathroom:angryfire. I am sick of overhearing people talking on their cell phones in the supermarket, the department store, high school, university classes, work places, even during Mass on Saturday evening:nono:

If I had my way, no one could use them inside a school, college, work place, church, hospital, or a truck or car.

Woody:balloons: