Men not helpful

[Sarah2018]

Hi guys,

There are are male team leaders(only male) at work who do nothing except sitting and talking and joking with staff( but without helping them) as if they are at a cafe.

Yesterday and today were heavy for me, and the team leader despite being free and roaming around as if he is on a picnic, did not help. If my patients are calling and I am busy, he just tells me that one patient called and I should see what he wanted.

Men are strong and they have bigger lung capacity and they are more powerful than us women yet they refuse to use that physical power.

They don't answer the calling bells from patients or take heavy patients to toilet.

What is the best way to handle the issue?

Should I email the charge nurse regarding the issue or tell them to move(they are senior in position to me btw)?

[Crush]

Davey Do, love it. Made my day :)

Love the sense of humor.

[Davey Do]

here comes a third wave feminist

Wouldn't "a developing nation's feminist" be more appropriate of a term, GE90?

Oh- my mistake- I thought you said "a third world feminist".

Sorry.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Hi guys,

There are are male team leaders(only male) at work who do nothing except sitting and talking and joking with staff( but without helping them) as if they are at a cafe.

Yesterday and today were heavy for me, and the team leader despite being free and roaming around as if he is on a picnic, did not help. If my patients are calling and I am busy, he just tells me that one patient called and I should see what he wanted.

Men are strong and they have bigger lung capacity and they are more powerful than us women yet they refuse to use that physical power.

They don't answer the calling bells from patients or take heavy patients to toilet.

What is the best way to handle the issue?

Should I email the charge nurse regarding the issue or tell them to move(they are senior in position to me btw)?

Before ratting on the men, ask them directly and clearly for specific help.

[GrumpyRN, NP]

Hi Sweetie!

Well SOMEBODY has to do it. It's a "differentiation of duties". We're there for entertainment and morale purposes.

Yep. That's called "delegation of duties"! So, what's your point?

You've haven't met my wife, Belinda the Amazon Woman RN.

Uh huh. Yeah.

Heck, we don't take patients to the toilet. We don't handle tissues or issues!

Yeah, the email is best. That way only a delete button needs to be pushed and no piece of paper needs to be shredded.

If there's anything else I can do for you, well... just do it for yourself.

Superb Davey, love it

[GrumpyRN, NP]

Men are strong and they have bigger lung capacity and they are more powerful than us women yet they refuse to use that physical power.

It is this attitude which was so prevalent when I first started nursing that means I now have back and neck pain, which has required surgery, and have to take pain killers every day.

I agree with other posters. You do not know what the team leader is doing and you need to ask for help.

I have worked with women for 40 years and a) I still don't understand them, and b) I get into trouble for offering help when it is not wanted or needed.

ASK!!

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

Men are strong and they have bigger lung capacity and they are more powerful than us women yet they refuse to use that physical power.

LOL....sorry, what?

[OldDude]

Men are pigs in general but let them obtain a nursing license? Complete and utter useless other than to take up space and draw a paycheck...eh?

[opalbee]

here comes a third wave feminist

I don't understand the purpose of this comment.

[Mr_Edwino]

Really? We need to do that?

I bet people love you at parties.

Parties? Oh yeah I remember those. That's where people congregate and interact socially, whilst enjoying libations and music.

The last few I went to, everyone was on their phones texting "I'm at a party talking to real people... you should come." Then their friends came and texted more people. Then everyone left to go text at another party.

R.I.P. parties

[thoughtful21, BSN, RN]

However, there's a difference between expecting that men do the heavy lifting just because they're male and the expectation that every member of staff behave in a collegial manner.

The irony is, that as a guy, I usually do much more than my share of lifting, as I'm the first one to be asked to help others do it.

I don't think men should be expected to help with all the heavy lifting. The heavy transfers are not the most fun part of our job, and they put us at risk for back injuries. I've seen men get called to help with all the heavy work, and it seems like gender stereotyping. If a male nurse is available and willing to help, then that's great, and I'm so glad to have them! But if not, several of us women can work together to do the same thing.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

whilst

You know - people don't use this word enough. I like this word. I shall use it whilst trying to convey my point next time.

[LoveMyRNlife]

The only time I ask my male coworkers to help me with a patient is if there is a serious concern that the patient will fall d/t there size and weakness. My fellow male coworkers have just as much work or more at times and I try not to ask them for help unless absolutely needed. I usually have no issues with female nurses helping me, even with very large patients.

I would also echo what everyone else said, if you are swamped and need help you must be direct in your request for help. Let's face it, we are ALL very busy 99.9% of the time in the hospital. Someone not recognizing you are drowning is not unwillingness to help, it is more like they are running over the list in their head of things they have to do. They may be waiting on an important call while you observe them "standing around joking". A quick, "hey can you help so and so to the bathroom and tell them to pull the cord when they are done and I will be in there" works great.