'Passing the Buck'

Published

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I am wondering if I am the only nurse who has coworkers that frequently 'pass the buck' onto the next shift.

I work weekend double shifts on Saturday and Sunday, so I am not at work during Monday through Friday. I come aboard Saturday morning to find labs that have not been followed-up all week and old skin tears on patients that have not been documented on incident reports or skin assessment sheets (though others know about the skin tear since it's bandaged; they're simply too lazy to complete the corresponding paperwork). I will also find new physician orders for medicines that have not been transcribed in the MAR for days. One of my patients was constipated all week, but no one took action. Do any of you work with nurses who 'pass the buck'?

Specializes in Geriatrics.

Unfortunatley, I've never worked any place were this hasn't happened!! :o

Specializes in Staff nurse.

...you work at an LTC? Actually, it doesn't matter where you work, start documenting when orders were written and when you found them in a formal incident report so it is on record. Nursing is a 24/7 job. What is the staffing during the week as compared to weekends? Cover yourself and do what you have to do (document, etc) so that your pts. get the care they need in a timely manner.

...let us know what happens.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
...you work at an LTC? Actually, it doesn't matter where you work, start documenting when orders were written and when you found them in a formal incident report so it is on record.
Yes, I work at an LTC facility. And thanks for the tips!
Nursing is a 24/7 job. What is the staffing during the week as compared to weekends?
Monday through Friday there's four nurses on each shift. The shifts are 6am to 2pm, 2pm to 10pm, and 10pm to 6am. On the weekends there are four nurses who work the weekend doubles, from 6am to 10pm.

I would definitely keep a record of what is getting overlooked and passed on to you. I've had a problem with that at my LTC facility as well, things like admission assessments and the like. It's awfully tough to try and wake someoen to assess them at 4am! I finally had to do just what I am advising you to do, kept a log of what was not being done on 3-11 and go to my DON with it. She straightened everything out, almost no more problems.

+ Join the Discussion