what should nurse do when there is tension b/w psw staff??

Published

Hi friends I just noticed that there is some tension going on between the 3 PSW staff at my work place . Yesterday the staff was on edge and grumpy and I told them that the care of the residents is being affected, they left the place and went to staff roomm for their further discussion. But what are some other things that I can do to "rally" my staff? How can I as the nurse leader make a better environment for everyone? keeping in mind...resident centered care!!!!!

Thanks in advance

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.

When my manager first started, the morale was horrible and there was much of what you described. She had numerous staff meetings (always bringing food and encased in positive feedback), and basically said that there would be no more of this type of behavior allowed. Period. Either you came in with a good attitude and kept it, or you weren't going to work there (and she backed it up with terminating the offenders). She made it perfectly clear that she would not tolerate this garbage... and, you know what? It worked. She kept on reinforcing this with monthly meetings and much interaction with staff, and eventually things turned around. She now has the most organized and cohesive staff in the hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

one bad apple spoils the whole bunch---------

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/SNF, Psych, Primary Care and Triage.

Can we clone your nurse manager. I think we need more of those type of people.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Most places I have worked would not terminate people who cause problems for any reason. The fact that the manager previously mentioned was able to bring about an atmosphere change while getting rid of bad apples, shows that sometimes getting rid of the bad apples can be quite a useful management tool. It should be used more often.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi friends I just noticed that there is some tension going on between the 3 PSW staff at my work place . Yesterday the staff was on edge and grumpy and I told them that the care of the residents is being affected, they left the place and went to staff roomm for their further discussion. But what are some other things that I can do to "rally" my staff? How can I as the nurse leader make a better environment for everyone? keeping in mind...resident centered care!!!!!

Thanks in advance

Which province are you in? Right now, morale is in the toilet in AB, BC, and ON due to the provincial cutbacks. Staff are really looking at their seniority dates and there has been some pissiness among the NAs at my site. Turns out there are two different unions involved (how I really don't understand)

Find out what there beef is. Is somebody getting the easier assignment? Shifts being allocated in an unfair manner?

Staff parking is a big beef right now at my site. Let's not even get into that one.

Don't play favourites and if necessary get the appropriate union stewards involved.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

i'm confused. what is psw? what does b/w mean?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

PSW is a Canadian term "personal support worker".

Usually found in continuing, long term, or homecare positions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
psw is a canadian term "personal support worker".

usually found in continuing, long term, or homecare positions.

i know i'm going to sound terminally dense, but what is a "personal support worker"? is that the unlicensed person who does the bathing, feeding and toileting while the nurse is on the neverending med pass?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Basically yup.

PSW are never found in hospitals despite being pictured there in the schools ads. It's usually a course that lasts a couple of months. Some are permitted to apply lotions and creams. In home visit settings, they help the senior get ready for bed or dressed for the day and observe them taking their meds.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
Basically yup.

PSW are never found in hospitals despite being pictured there in the schools ads. It's usually a course that lasts a couple of months. Some are permitted to apply lotions and creams. In home visit settings, they help the senior get ready for bed or dressed for the day and observe them taking their meds.

They have expanded the PSW education in Ontario to about 9 months and have started introducing them in hospitals.(mine is one of them).

Ours work great together as long as they ignore one who likes to stir the pot:eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
They have expanded the PSW education in Ontario to about 9 months and have started introducing them in hospitals.(mine is one of them).

Ours work great together as long as they ignore one who likes to stir the pot:eek:

Kinda scary isn't it, when you read that some American PN programmes last nine months...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion