Nurse and tech communication

[burnsie15]

I work on a step down unit with 3-1 patient to nurse ratio and techs have 9 patients each. We used to be 2-1 ratio without a tech. It’s heen several years now since the change but ever since the beginning there has been arguing and complaints between nurses and techs on roles. It is written out what the roles of the techs are but everything falls back on the nurse. Techs currently get report from the previous shift tech. I have read about nurses giving the incoming tech report to help with communication. Are there any other things floors have come up with to improve communication or cooperation?

[TriciaJ, RN]

This is where your manager needs to step in. If there is a lot of arguing and complaining, then someone isn't clear about something. Hopefully you have a manager who can identify the main problems and make sure everyone knows exactly what is expected of them.

Three other possible scenarios: 1. The nurses are turfing too much work to the techs 2. The techs don't want to work too hard 3. Everyone works hard but there is just too damn much work and everyone is struggling. This would be a staffing issue and it might be tricky getting your manager to identify it as such.

I hope your manager can provide better leadership that to put a bandaid on this issue and start thinking up stupid things to "improve morale".