Lazy co-workers

[HealthANDLove1122]

I have yet to understand why a person would come to work and not finish their assigned tasks or roles within a work place environment. I have tried to justify their actions in my mind like "maybe they have it bad at home" or "maybe they don't have the capacity to think beyond what is told to them." Well, those justifications made no sense as they would laugh and make jokes, go on facebook, gossip about other's life. I learned once and for all that it is sheer ATTITUDE. That these people don't want to change. They want to stay at the minimal level and if you give them 10 tasks-they will be sure to finish 4 or 5 and even that will take the full 8 hour shifts. It kills me to know that management won't do anything about it either and they are well aware of this It's a private practice and if this was my business, I'd be damn sure that there would be a meeting at least once a week where we would discuss our tasks for the week, what was done last week, and would keep these finished tasks in a file in my office. I would set aside a to do list and would tell each staff member what their roles are so they are accountable for what they do and discipline professionally if things are not done in a timely fashion. I have never worked in a place where nobody knew what they were doing or played dumb. It's been three months but I can't just leave like that as it's my first nurse practitioner job. Sorry, but I had to vent. I still do my part but being the best I can be by finishing my work, helping others with their work, and trying to find things to do so my 8 hours could feel worthwhile. Has anyone else gone through this or is going through something similar to this?

[Sour Lemon]

Yes, lazy people are frustrating...and if I may rant briefly myself, so are people who don't use paragraphs.

[nursel56]

Sorry you're having such a horrible experience your first time out as an FNP. If your management is perfectly happy with mediocrity, nothing will change. At least you have a head start on "what not to do" when you're able to implement the higher standards you envision for a thriving practice. Best wishes to you!

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

So the only way to make someone do the job you expect of them is to discipline them until they do, but you complete your job because you take pride in it?

So the floggings should continue until morale improves?

Yes, motivating people to be the best they can be is tough. We all have different things that motivate us, but I believe that most of us want to be appreciated. Have you ever read In Search of Excellence? The authors stress that people will rise or sink to your level of expectation. If you anticipate that people will not complete their assigned tasks, then there is a good chance they won't. If they know that you believe they will and can do a good job, there is a good chance that they will.

And yes, there are just some people who will do just enough to get by. But that doesn't need to be everyone, and when they drag down those that are hard workers, then in my experience anyway, peer pressure will drive them off.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I've carried deadwood at many of my previous jobs. They are always a function of weak management. Some people are just plain lazy and will do the bare minimum. What's aggravating is you start to wonder why you should be busting your butt, which leaves you with a choice: Do you, too, start to do the bare minimum and feel dissatisfied with your own performance, or do you keep picking up after everyone and enjoy your resentment?

In that situation I usually live with it as long as I can and try not to let my own standards slip. When I find myself fuming even after I've gone home, it's time to start looking for the exits. Good luck.

[Davey Do]

lazy people are frustrating...

Now now Sour Lemon- we need to be more sensitive, compassionate, and politically correct:

"Energy Impaired" people are frustrating.

... so are people who don't use paragraphs.

...so are people who are "A Distinct Section of a Piece of Writing Impaired", please!

Actually, HealthANDLove, the Energy Impaired really singe my shorts, especially when they work so hard at avoiding work!

[HealthANDLove1122]

I was not paying attention to my paragraph structure when I was writing this post as my focus was on venting and letting out my frusturation. Perhaps I should have and I appreciate you pointing it out.

[HealthANDLove1122]

At NurseJ22, I would be more than happy to compliment and appreciate ones work when it calls for it. I don't expect a pat on my back when I finish my work and help others. I do more because it feels like the right thing to do and I also understand that not everyone thinks the way I do. What frustrates me is that if they are not doing what is required from them such as vitals, rooming the patient, obtaining chief complaint, not putting the MRI/EMG reports in the chart prior to seeing the patients. This is all that I expect from them as that is part of their job duties/descriptions. I have told them nicely at least 4 different times. I try to give people chances and believe they will improve but when you see no positive outcomes or changes, it's hard to keep that belief. They just nod their head and continue to do what they want. I am not the only provider that is going through this. They are doing this to the other provider that works with me and she is also frustrated. I understand why there is a fast turn over at this place. All the patients keep telling me that they see new providers every two months and have told me to not leave. I don't give up and plan to stick it out but private practice is a whole different ball game...not what I thought.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

I don't give up and plan to stick it out but private practice is a whole different ball game...not what I thought.

I am sorry that you are unhappy with the people who work in your office, and that management seems unwilling to address it. I still don't think it would hurt to recognize people when they do something correctly. Even if it is just once. I am not saying to praise them, just point out how much more smoothly work flows when patients are prepared for their visit.

[TriciaJ, RN]

I am sorry that you are unhappy with the people who work in your office, and that management seems unwilling to address it. I still don't think it would hurt to recognize people when they do something correctly. Even if it is just once. I am not saying to praise them, just point out how much more smoothly work flows when patients are prepared for their visit.

What they really need is to have it pointed out by management that to maintain their employment, they need to actually do their damn job.

OP, is it worth having a chat with management and pointing out to THEM that constant provider turnover is costing them money? After all, you're revenue; the office staff are overhead.

[djh123]

Yeah, a particular former co-worker has made many of us burn through a bunch of calories discussing how lazy, mistake-prone, unfocused, and ... wait, maybe that's enough - they are.

[BlinkyPinky]

I've carried deadwood at many of my previous jobs. They are always a function of weak management. Some people are just plain lazy and will do the bare minimum. What's aggravating is you start to wonder why you should be busting your butt, which leaves you with a choice: Do you, too, start to do the bare minimum and feel dissatisfied with your own performance, or do you keep picking up after everyone and enjoy your resentment?

In that situation I usually live with it as long as I can and try not to let my own standards slip. When I find myself fuming even after I've gone home, it's time to start looking for the exits. Good luck.

Great post.

I did just that ( found exit & used it), and my mental state improved