My Coworkers are Driving Me Nuts

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

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There have been some things at work that, as a nurse, I never thought I'd see my coworkers do. It might just be a little thing, but it really gets on my nerves. I'd like to say something to them, but sometimes it's better just to keep my mouth shut.

What about you? What drives you nuts?

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Specializes in Dialysis.

In the dialysis clinic, tossing the trash from the various set up components on the floor and leaving them, trash can setting right there. It's mostly the younger techs. I've been to their homes, and they live that way as well ?  I keep reminding them that no one in there is their maid. They also do the same in the break room. The over 30s are generally very good about cleaning up after themselves. 

Other pet peeve: cell phone use on the floor, ignoring patients and needs because playing on fb, Tik Tok, etc. But not sure what to do as these folks been raised with a cellphone in hand 

Lastly, passing off on accountability. Most of the techs refuse to accept responsibility for mistakes, even if blatantly theirs. Just acknowledge, learn, and move on

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

I was written up 1 1/2 years after starting at Wrongway Regional Medical Center because two techs c/o me not making rounds to spell them. "No problem", I said, "All they needed to do was ask". I mean, if I wasn't busy with my responsibilities, I was happy to make some rounds.

So, the next time I worked with one of the techs that had complained, when I wasn't busy being the nurse, I said, "You take the half hour rounds and I'll take the quarter hour rounds, okay?"

The tech replied, "Now, Dave, don't get all technical on me. I don't know what you're talking about".

I patiently instructed the tech, "When the big hand is on the 12 and the 6, you make the rounds. When the big hand is on the 3 and the 9, I'll make the rounds".

It drove me nuts to work with people who were victims that acted like they had just fallen off of the turnip truck.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I try to offer constructive criticism in person and in real time. The people I work with know that I will call them out individually on certain behaviors (like the cell phone use @Hoosier_RN mentioned. But I also try to make sure I reinforce positive teamwork and patient care as well. 

 A while back when I was a newer charge nurse we had a night crew that totally sucked including people sleeping at the nurses station with their feet up on the desk, people watching movies with two headphones in ignoring the bells and the whole unit, and generally putting forth a completely unacceptable image of professionalism on nights. I took the opportunity at shift start huddle to set things straight and I admit I was not too nice about it. Fortunately for me they mostly straightened out, and a couple day shift nurses that I really respected sought me out after that to thank me for standing up to my coworkers for the image they were putting out. I'm okay with letting things slide until it could cause people to question my professionalism, that's not a line I'm okay with. 

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

My computer acts up from time to time, and when it does, I contact the IT department. My very nice co-worker is convinced she can fix it, so she will stand behind me, telling where to click and look, until she finally gives up and and advises me to contact IT. 

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Oh boy, let’s see. How about their patient rings the call bell for 15 mins and they just sit there. Meanwhile the patient has gotten up, popped themselves free from the IV, blood is spilling s everywhere, the fluids are running all over the floor and then they say can you help me.

or 

can you pass meds for one of my patients I’m so behind..(every freaking week)

or

They raise a stink. I had this section last night why can’t I have my patients back (holding up all the nurses because  now they might reassign nurses patients at 7:05 after nurses have already looked up their patients) meanwhile all of that nurses patients were discharged except 1.

or

okay that’s enough.. I really do love y’all tho!!?

I can’t wait to see what everyone else writes ?

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12 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

Other pet peeve: cell phone use on the floor, ignoring patients and needs because playing on fb, Tik Tok, etc. 

LOL LOL LOL yessss this and then they try to engage you. I’m sorry, I’m working

12 hours ago, Davey Do said:

I was written up 1 1/2 years after starting at Wrongway Regional Medical Center because two techs c/o me not making rounds to spell them. "No problem", I said, "All they needed to do was ask". I mean, if I wasn't busy with my responsibilities, I was happy to make some rounds.

So, the next time I worked with one of the techs that had complained, when I wasn't busy being the nurse, I said, "You take the half hour rounds and I'll take the quarter hour rounds, okay?"

The tech replied, "Now, Dave, don't get all technical on me. I don't know what you're talking about".

I patiently instructed the tech, "When the big hand is on the 12 and the 6, you make the rounds. When the big hand is on the 3 and the 9, I'll make the rounds".

It drove me nuts to work with people who were victims that acted like they had just fallen off of the turnip truck.

Yikes

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Ongoing social chatter while people are trying to concentrate. Pleasantries and short banter (personal or professional) don't bother me, that's just part of getting along with the people around you. It's the soap opera-style stuff that is nuts, where as soon as people are in the common space again the person picks right up right where they left off.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

When you have a block assignment and the patient's IV in the first room that's not yours keeps beeping bc that nurse is nowhere to be found

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3 hours ago, Nurse Beth said:

When you have a block assignment and the patient's IV in the first room that's not yours keeps beeping bc that nurse is nowhere to be found

It might as well be your patient right. You can’t just leave ugggg

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Me giving report: 41 yr old female patient of Dr. Joe admitted with pancreatitis-

Nurse interrupts: Does she have an IV?

 

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19 minutes ago, Nurse Beth said:

Me giving report: 41 yr old female patient of Dr. Joe admitted with pancreatitis-

Nurse interrupts: Does she have an IV?

 

Ha ha! You’re on ? Nurse Beth

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