One nurse, no time off.

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Hey, just wondering if any of you office nurses are experiencing the same problem I am. I am the lone nurse in an orthopaedic surgeons office. This means I have to be there no matter what. I have no back up, even if I'm sick or have an emergency I have to be there. I have made a much needed dental appt. 3 times and had to cancel because the doc and office manager decided we would see patients on days I was supposed to be off. Don't get me wrong, I like my job and I do get some days off when doc goes out of town. However it is frustrating to know I have no back up. There is no one else in the office who can do my job. I have talked to the office manager about this and the need to have someone who could come in in case of emergency, you never know what could happen. However, because I am dependable she doesn't see the need to do anything. Anyone else in the same situation? Whar has your office done to prevent problems? Just really want to know I'm not alone out here!:uhoh21:

Limik

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Office RN's work around the convience of the doctor. Though it can be very satisfying, there are trade offs over a hospital job. You are describing one of the bad trade offs. Find a dentist that has Saturday appointments. Most office RN's have every weekend off. (a good trade off!)

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You are not alone

I am the only nurse in a BUSY Internal medicine practice

fortunately I am very healthy and in the last six years have taken my vacation and only two sick days

But I admit to some frustration that there is no back up

My doc takes over for me ( sees less patients the days I am on vacation or as he is doing this week he is not seeing any pts the two days I am scheduled to be off

I feel bad but realize it is his choice

We do not have an offcie manger

what happens in your office when the recpt is out? Does you office manager do her job?

Is your office manager also the billing person?

Do you like office nursing?

I have done alot of different kinds of nursing and LOVE the autonomy I have in the office ..taking the good with the bad

Hang in there ..stand up for yourself and enjoy the ride!!

Joy and Smiles * Darla

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I am totally in the same position. I am the only full time nurse in our busy urology office. There is one other RN that did surgery scheduling for 10 years and cannot function as the other nurse. Anytime I need time off they generally give it to me but......I spend days catching up on the work missed. I went to Peru for 2 weeks in december and am still cleaning up messes. I have asked for more help and was about to leave. They promised more help and never hired. Now I am going to go part time and they are forced to hire. I have promised them 3 weeks of full time and it has literally been a crisis in the office figuring out how to fill in my time. The office manager is about to quit because of the "crisis". Never should an office be in the this position.....

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I've been there. I use to work in a solo practice for 6 yrs, when I had to be out (which wasn't very much) the doc would just take over & the office manager helped him out. Of course things were a mess when I got back & the doc was very apprieciative to have me back. For the past 2 years while in nursing school I have worked prn for another solo doc with one nurse. She will call me if she needs to be out, if I can go, I go. It's worked it well for them & me. Maybe check with some nursing friends that have office experience & see if they're willing to do prn for you.

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Specializes in Endocrinology.

Same boat here. I had to train the receptionist on how to triage patients for the slim chance I would be out one day. She actually had to fill in, and she did great. She took care of all my RX refills....I never had a mess to come back to. Unfortunitly, she just quit to stay at home and now we have two new CNAs that I trust will do just fine to back me up. As far as giving shots.....that's up to the Doctor. In the past, he wouldn't order any shots if I wasn't there. But since these girls know how to give them, he may allow it.

I have a hard time getting time off. My DD11 is Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz on May 9 and I have to work (or choose to work) so not to put the Doctor in a bind. He would have let me off, but I'll just catch her 7pm performace that night. You have to weigh out the pros and cons, and believe me, I've done that alot. I love my job, the doctor is very supportive, never down my back about ANYTHING, completely trusts me with making decisions, it's great.

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Specializes in pedi, pedi psych,dd, school ,home health.

the doc needs to understand that you are human and need the occaisional day off..how about a temp agency or finding a nurse from the hosp that you could train to fill in?? I have been in your posiition and know the frustration...but you shouldnt let your health suffer because of it!!!

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I totally understand I never can take off and have no replacement. My Doc. neverr takes off. He is planning on taking a little time this summer. I HOPE SO!

beth

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