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?
Now, I've worked my entire career in the hospital and have no experience whatsoever with LTC. If you're a manager, who is 'leadership' which refuses you what you consider the choicest assignments? Don't you as a manager have input into who's assigned where? Perhaps 'leadership' is trying to be fair to all.
I’m a unit manager, so am pretty low on the totem pole as far as management goes. I’m certainly free to offer my opinions, but ultimately the delegation of assignments is up to the Executive Director and Director of Nursing.
Then there's your answer. They're trying to be fair to everybody by not favoring one person and catering to one person. If I were you I'd stop complaining and thank them for the assignments they allow you to have. At some point they may start to consider you a liability if they don't already. Don't wait till you get blindsided.
Then there's your answer. They're trying to be fair to everybody by not favoring one person and catering to one person. If I were you I'd stop complaining and thank them for the assignments they allow you to have. At some point they may start to consider you a liability if they don't already. Don't wait till you get blindsided.
I’m competent in my role, so I’m not necessarily sure I would be considered a liability, per se. BUT I could see them possibly deciding I’m no longer needed should I become too particular in the tasks I’m willing to perform, if I’m seen as inflexible, etc. Considering that both the Executive Director and the Director of Nursing are both new and the people who promoted me to my position are no longer employed at my workplace, it’s really not in my best interest to dictate which tasks I prefer over others, etc.
3 hours ago, LibraNurse27 said:
I haven't met anyone who is enthusiastically volunteering to care for covid patients, but you're right that complaining or insinuating that others should have to handle covid but you don't will paint you in a negative light. I don't enjoy sweating in the PPE and exposing myself to covid, but I am proud of the work I'm doing during this pandemic, and happy to take one for the team so pregnant/older/high risk coworkers don't have to risk their health.
I've found that in return for being a team player I'm sometimes given a break from covid and a good assignment. I don't think you're meaning to come across as unfair or a complainer, and it's great you're interested in so many important roles. LTC is a hard specialty, so it's great you're enthusiastic about working there and care about your residents and staff. Covid is not easy in any setting, and I know LTC has been hit hard. Glad none of your coworkers have been infected and your residents haven't gotten critically ill ? keep up the good work
Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
My philosophy as a manager has been that I am here to do whatever my bosses need for me to do. I go where they point me. I have been reassigned to another facility twice (the agency tends to send me to their trouble spots). There was at least once when I had rather not have done it, but it was seen as being in the best interest of the agency. I did not openly complain about it, just set out to perform my job as well as I could.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Yep no one is "dying" to care for COVID positive people. However, when asked, I do so and I don't complain.
I guess I am just lucky to have steady work; my sister who is a bartender in Chicago, is not so lucky. Nor are my cousins who have "non-essential" jobs right now and are scrambling to pay their mortgages and eat.
Completely understand where everyone is coming from, and I get it—take the assignment I can get and with it being a pandemic, there’s not the luxury of being choosy with assignments.
It’s frustrating for me because there are roles I’m interested in and I think I’d be good at. I’ve been offering my opinions on various potential admits and have enjoyed the process of reviewing records, making the judgment as to whether or not someone is a fit, and how to make arrangements for certain patients. I also enjoy completing new admissions, reviewing their charts for things that need to be followed up on, more active communication with the providers, making sure assessments are up to date, etc. I like patients that are more interactive as well.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere on the COVID unit is rather depressing and there’s not much opportunity to complete the things I enjoy. The isolation from the rest of the work place is depressing. It feels as if you are cut off from everyone. Many of the patients on the COVID unit are too fatigued to do anything other than stay in bed all day. There’s not as much follow up with providers, orders to review, etc. And the teamwork aspect just isn’t the same with fewer staff around. I’m finding it hard to be positive about working a unit that is so miserable. Not saying the work isn’t important, but it certainly doesn’t make me want to get out of bed in the morning
“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. .....
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, riskmanagement, 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’m sorry things are in such flux for you at the moment.
LTC nurses are rock stars, as I would not last 1 hour with your regular patient load. ?
Also, looks like your facility is to be commended if your residents are not being hit hard with the virus. Kudos!! Strong work going on there!
Now, to the issue.
Not getting the assignment you want?
Getting what you specifically detailed you did not want (and 3 times ?)?
Sounds like evil management or could just be you’ve had 3 shifts working with not-so sick post COVID or otherwise exposed patients. You note plenty of PPE No undue risk, you just don’t enjoy doing it.
Could be worse, right?
My advice —
Go in to work ready to do what is asked of you with a smile and a can-do, must-do attitude! You’ll be noticed. Trust me on this. Go above and beyond. Be the “go to” “get it done” nurse and that label will stick like glue. And do it with a smile. Never stop improving your clinical and administrative practice. That gets you noticed. Songs will be written about you and the parent company will buy you a puppy. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little.
However, if this assignment issue is a minor annoyance vs something else — only you know. The “jobs” you expressed interest in are all mostly true admin spots and since I don’t know if you have the training to do these “requested” jobs independently or if someone else may be better suited, it’s hard to know if there’s any real issue. It may also be that you are a better clinician and better suited for the role you are being utilized in.
Executive admin can have a tough job in the landscape of a rapidly changing facility. If I had that role, I’d want my best clinician caring for patients that have a disease process that could present with sudden decline and I’d let the other admin issues related to admissions, chart audits, infection control admin, risk mgmt (all these purely oversight activities could be in the administrator’s overview as well) sort themselves out as things evolved and stabilized at my facility. My position would be focused on having the best staff available to provide excellent clinical care for our patients/residents — that must come first.
If the job and assignment becomes something that you cannot do or are unwilling to do for any reason — it’s really okay to move on.
I always look at any job like this: I was looking for a job when I found “this one” and should it get unbearable or violate my safety, that has always been my signal it’s time for an honest gut check on if it’s time to go.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
LTC is for rock stars. I did not last a year. It was TOUGH.
On 12/23/2020 at 5:41 PM, SilverBells said:
Maybe, but it is also possible I am simply getting assigned there when that is where I am needed most at the time based on the staff available and patient/building needs
Spread the love is what I say. Even if someone "doesn't mind" that shouldnt be used as an excuse to continuously dump specific patients on them. Sooner or later they will feel resentful and used.
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
On 12/22/2020 at 7:50 PM, SilverBells said:
Any tips for receiving more desired assignments at work instead of unwanted assignments?
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.
Any tips for approaching leadership who says one thing, but does another?
Two concepts come to mind, SilverBells: One is Mr. Lincoln's quote of "If you really want to test (a person's) character give (them) power".
Those with power believe they know what's best.
The second one is putting principles before personalities, or feelings & emotions before logic. Those with power who focus more on emotions than logic will do what makes them feel good or better.
I use to say at Wrongway Regional Medical Center, "Administration can do whatever they want, whenever they want". I have many examples that could back up that quote, but to answer your question on tips:
Use Reverse Psychology- it worked for me at Wrongway.
Case in point: After some lawsuit at some facility where nurses were not given their lunch break, Wronway's administration began assigning one staff member to do "Linch Relief" every shift. RNs were the desired staff members because they could relieve any staff member- LPN, or Tech, or another RN.
The vast majority of RNs despised being Lunch Relief and loudly proclaimed their dislike. I really didn't mind doing Lunch Relief, as it was a break from the the usual routine of my home unit, and I kept up on what was going on with the other units.
So, I loudly proclaimed my love of doing Lunch Relief.
In my final two years at Wrongway, I was not once again assigned Lunch Relief.
I have other examples, but that's a pretty good one.
Completely understand where everyone is coming from, and I get it—take the assignment I can get and with it being a pandemic, there’s not the luxury of being choosy with assignments.
It’s frustrating for me because there are roles I’m interested in and I think I’d be good at. I’ve been offering my opinions on various potential admits and have enjoyed the process of reviewing records, making the judgment as to whether or not someone is a fit, and how to make arrangements for certain patients. I also enjoy completing new admissions, reviewing their charts for things that need to be followed up on, more active communication with the providers, making sure assessments are up to date, etc. I like patients that are more interactive as well.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere on the COVID unit is rather depressing and there’s not much opportunity to complete the things I enjoy. The isolation from the rest of the work place is depressing. It feels as if you are cut off from everyone. Many of the patients on the COVID unit are too fatigued to do anything other than stay in bed all day. There’s not as much follow up with providers, orders to review, etc. And the teamwork aspect just isn’t the same with fewer staff around. I’m finding it hard to be positive about working a unit that is so miserable. Not saying the work isn’t important, but it certainly doesn’t make me want to get out of bed in the morning
It sounds to me that if you want to be an admissions coordinator you need to start applying to other facilities. It seems clear they are not interested in giving you that job.
You don't have to stay and work covid if that isn't what you want to do. But sometimes we have to walk away from a job that isn't working out for us. This seems to be a common thread with front line nursing jobs. Many times the only way out is to change jobs and work elsewhere.
At least you already know what job you want and having that clarity improves your chances of success. But it looks like you need to stop waiting for your employer to give you the job, just start applying at other places.
I wish you luck in finding a job that will make you happy!
SilverBells, BSN
1,108 Posts
I’m a unit manager, so am pretty low on the totem pole as far as management goes. I’m certainly free to offer my opinions, but ultimately the delegation of assignments is up to the Executive Director and Director of Nursing.