I just read a post by a nurse showing her appreciation for the "unlicensed staff" and this definitely made my day.
I can't tell you how many times at work I have been made to feel like an incompetent fool just for being a tech. While most of the nurses I work with do show they appreciate me and tell me how happy they are when they see me come on the unit, there are nurses who just look down on me like they are better then me or something. it's aggravating!!!!
for example... I work in an ICU... I do temperature, blood sugars, EKG's, and phlebotomy. (I can do vital signs but it's ICU so they are all on the monitors)
If I notice a pt's blood pressure is low and I alert the nurse.... DONT ROLL YOUR EYES AT ME AS IF I"M STUPID...because I just came on the unit and didnt know the patient is always hypotensive .... just tell me thats the norm for that patient....
part of my job is to alert you if I notice abnormalities with the patient...I was just doing my job...
And when it comes to drawing blood....all because I'm a tech does not mean I cannot do a blood draw on a patient who seems to be a hard stick......
I can't tell you how many times a nurse was unable to get blood....and I would go and get it in one shot....
I love hearing "she wont be able to get it" as I walk in the room, then walk out with 3 full tubes if blood......
And dont even get me start on the new grad nurses on orientation...... OMG
so do you feel appreciated by your nurses?