Not receiving desired assignments but receiving unwanted assignments?

[SilverBells, BSN]

Any tips for receiving more desired assignments at work instead of unwanted assignments?

At my workplace, we have gone through many adjustments, including a change in leadership. I am one of 2 managers for our rehab/LTC facility. Lately, due to low census, my duties change from day to day. Because many staff have left, there have been gaps in certain roles to be fulfilled, such as infection control, risk management, chart auditor and admissions coordinator. What is confusing is that every time I am approached about possibly taking on these roles and I enthusiastically volunteer, they are always delegated to someone else.

Meanwhile, I have consistently expressed disinterest in assisting with COVID patients and that task has been delegated to me three times now. I am frustrated that I am consistently receiving undesired/unwanted tasks despite showing interest in many other assignments. There doesn’t seem to be an apparent reason for why certain people have been delegated certain things.  

Any tips for approaching leadership who says one thing, but does another? 

[SilverBells, BSN]

Meanwhile coworkers who don’t seem to mind working with the COVID patients are being delegated tasks I’d rather have

[Annie Wilks]

?

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

My advice would be to keep your concerns to yourself for a while. During this pandemic we're all having to step out of what we would normally like to do and step up to do what simply must be done. Your concerns could very well be valid but it could make you appear in a bad light if you complain to management about wanting others tasks as opposed to working with Covid patients. While you may be disinterested in working with Covid patients, it very well may help with morale for bedside staff to see a manager in the trenches, that could be well worth doing things you don't want to.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

7 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Meanwhile coworkers who don’t seem to mind working with the COVID patients are being delegated tasks I’d rather have

If I remember correctly you are relatively new in your management role, this might be a factor as management could be thinking you may not have enough experience to take on these other tasks.

[sevensonnets]

Perhaps your coworkers are looked at as willing to carry out their assignments (including caring for COVID patients) without complaining.

[Emergent, RN]

I'm disinterested in doing the laundry. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

The fact is.. most of us do not get the assignment we want. Many of us are "disinterested"in providing care to covid patients. 

I don't know what is going on in your manager's head. No way would I approach management to ask , they have their reason. 

Keep your head down and smile with any assignment you receive.

[chare]

14 hours ago, SilverBells said:

... I am frustrated that I am consistently receiving undesired/unwanted tasks despite showing interest in many other assignments. ...

Maybe if you showed the same interest in these undesired and/or unwanted tasks that you do in the other assignments, you might start being assigned some of them.

Best wishes.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

This is that "other duties as assigned" portion of your job description.

You are being paid and therefore they can assign what they want. If you have something you don't want that someone else does, explore swapping. But don't expect to get your way much of the time on this, particularly as regards COVID patients. 

[HiddencatBSN, BSN]

I think it's fine to express interest in specific assignments and roles but I wouldn't express disinterest or lack of enthusiasm in the work you are assigned. When you are new, there's a certain amount of dues-paying and showing your work quality you need to do. There are always going to be aspects of the work we prefer and aspects we dislike but ultimately asking to be catered to is unreasonable.

Do the work, do it well, and build a reputation for work ethic and being a team player. 

We're in a pandemic and numbers are going to continue to rise, so not wanting to care for COVID patients is going to be a huge professional hindrance for you if it's something that your facility manages. Focus on advocating for what you need to care for them safely- PPE, testing, etc.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

I will go on a limb and say the fact that you have “continually expressed disinterest” in covid patients could probably be why you’re getting them.