I would appreciate some feedback on how to get nurses to help answer call lights. I work on a med-surg/oncology floor. I alternate working both the floor and also as charge nurse. Our ratio is typically 5-6 and we have 1-2 CNAs. We have a paging system at the UC desk so we can page back into the room and ask the patient what they need. If the UC is not at the desk (they leave at midnight) and a call light goes off, I have a select few RNs and some CNAs who WILL NOT get up and answer the light. They will not go to the phone to what the patient needs nor will they go directly to the room. I mean they will not budge from their seats. Whether or not it's their patient doesn't seem to factor in, they will let them go and go.
It doesn't seem to be an RN vs. CNA problem; it is made very clear at our facility that answering call lights is everyone's responsibility, but some of these people turn into Helen Keller the second an IV starts beeping or a call bell rings. I am not referring to nurses who are busy with other patients, reviewing orders, calling docs, or any of the other tasks that bog us down. I am talking about nurses who are sitting at the nurse's station playing on their phones, talking with other nurses, etc. I feel they are blatantly taking advantage of those of us who cannot sit by while the lights and alarms go off as they know we'll answer them eventually. It's not an option ignore the lights in return because only the patients will suffer.
Does anyone have any advice on how to facilitate a change and get these nurses off their behinds?
For the short time I worked in the hospital (6 months) we just rotated who answered the call bells. If someone was busy a nurse would say something along the lines of, "I'll get this one, can you get the next one, etc." Sometimes I'd have to be asked or would have to ask someone, and nobody was offended, really. You'll always have that one person who is like "UGH! FINE!" and who is stomping around, acting like a toddler but most of our staff just took turns - like you do in the real world when you have to do something unpleasant that you don't want to do.
People won't respect you unless you impose yourself more, plain and simple. I had a lot of CNA's trying to buck me when I started my new job but I didn't back down and I even had to report a few (manager supported me) but I gave them plenty of opportunity to improve, offered to help them when I could and they chose not to listen so I did what I had to do. Do you want to be on the chopping block or them? Now all is well and we have even laughed about our confrontations in the past. I feel they respect me now. It is sad but many people will take advantage of your kindness if you let them. Learn how to ask for help and delegate.
assign tasks, like the others said pick who ever is being oblivious at the moment. Direct, don't make it optional. As far as still working the floor just make sure that when you do you follow your own advice and answers lights, you'll have no issues if you do.
ive learned to do this myself recently, as I have a CNA whose very problematic. She doesn't enjoy it, but after she lost the first time she tried to buck me on it, she knows better than to challenge. You're going to get some looks the first few times, stick to your guns and insist calmly.
If it's your room, and you are not busy in another room, answer it. Most of the time, a tech can't do anything about it anyway. Answer your own call light.
I don't get, we take turns. You know your own patient. You know if they can get up to the bathroom, if the can have a cup of ice, why their IV pump is alarming. Most of the time, others don't.
Maybe because I work, we all jump on call lights, I can't understand why people wouldn't. And on the rare occasion somebody doesn't, and they are beside me at the station, I will sincerely ask. Maybe they are super behind on charting, or waiting in a call back from a doc, so what? I've only come across 2-3 lazy nurses in my time. And even then, they are fillers, who don't normally work on my unit and have any real reason to care about our unit.
What we did when I was assigned in the pediatric department was, whoever the call light's patient was assigned to he/she will answer it regardless of the situation, whethere she's mixing meds or preparinf meals etc, unless ofcourse that nurse is not at the station, eg he/she is at another bedside. The nurse at the station will respond to the client's call then inform the nurse assigned on that patient that she has a pending call. As for the CNAs, we didn't have them, but our nursing attendant, when vacant, they would tend to the call as long as the assigned nurse is not present or no other nurses are present to address the client's concern.
Its a matter of discipline & understanding that you work as a team. When you are on the floor, you function as a responsible team member.
I just wanted to add one more thing. Make sure that, as a new charge nurse, you are leading by example. Make sure that you are not one of the ones sitting at the desk playing on your phone. I try really hard to ensure that I display the attitude and work ethic that I expect to see in my staff. I've seen/had supervisors who are not doing anything at the moment, can see that I am busy, and will ask me to go take care of something that they could have done. This makes me lose respect in that supervisor. You could ask any of the staff that I supervise, and they will most likely tell you that I work my butt off. Not suggesting that this is an issue in your case; just my philosophy as a nurse manager.
DowntheRiver
983 Posts
For the short time I worked in the hospital (6 months) we just rotated who answered the call bells. If someone was busy a nurse would say something along the lines of, "I'll get this one, can you get the next one, etc." Sometimes I'd have to be asked or would have to ask someone, and nobody was offended, really. You'll always have that one person who is like "UGH! FINE!" and who is stomping around, acting like a toddler but most of our staff just took turns - like you do in the real world when you have to do something unpleasant that you don't want to do.