This is a bit of a vent, but a timely one. I love working with a very diverse team on a busy med/surg floor. As we are now in Spring, we have many new orientees and again I have been asked to bring a few of them along as a preceptor. Every year it just strikes me how more and more irritated I get with some basic professional behaviors that normally don't tick me off this bad, but really get my hackles up when I find myself saying to a new nurse "well, the professional way to handle this is..." Sheesh! I shouldn't have to even have that conversation with a new grad when observing behaviors and interactions with our existing staff! Here are my top two for Spring 2015:
1. Our shifts are 0645 - 1915. I have worked nights and days and still CAN'T STAND IT when it comes to being on time for either shift. If you are coming off shift, I get that sometimes patient care delays being ready for report, BUT when you are the oncoming nurse, there is no excuse. "On TIME" means ready to take report right at 0645 or at 1845.. It does not mean, "I clocked in at 0645, but let me set my bag down in our locker room and get my stuff and fill my water bottle/coffee cup/etc."
2. It is isn't appropriate to have your smart phone out on the floor. I don't care if you were using the calculator function, or the drug look up. Those tools are available on our mobile carts and are provided by our employers (which BTW, you SHOULD be using resources provided and approved by your employer per most P&P!) But let's be honest, there is a different "tap" to being on FB, twitter, or texting than there is to using a tool. As a school teacher friend of mine once said to me, "I tell my students that I always know when they are texting on a phone. It just seems unnatural that you have been looking at your own crotch for that long while smiling, smirking, and laughing."
...but when it's the same person over and over again?
Yep, I got one of those on my floor, too. I can always clean up after a prior shift's hell ride, I'm fresh and have energy. But when they ALWAYS have a rough night, it becomes suspect
Lying. I can overlook, fix or forgive anything other than lying. I can not work in a culture of dishonesty.
True. That is about the top of the list in my book, too. Close second is, "yeah I did all those things but didn't chart any of it because I was too busy," ALL. THE. TIME. hmpf.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
2) When a patient requests something simple like water and the nurse wastes time to notify me (because I'm the assigned RN) of the request instead of simply getting the patient water.
Omg I hate that! When they look all around for me to tell me they want water or something simple. They wasted all that time when they could've just done it themselves. Really??
Ok mine are of course being late. I come in 15 mins early and while in the break room I grab the pens I need so when I come to the floor I'm ready for my assignment. To have to wait that extra 15 mins for you to find your pens and color your report sheet with different colors is stupid. Do it on your own time after I've given you report.
While talking about report come to me. I rather not hunt you down in the morning when you scatter to your special spots. You can see on the white board if I have your patients and you see me sitting there waiting. Don't just run away and make me pace that unit for you.
1) Strolling in 30 minutes late and then demanding that rounds need to be done before report. Um, come on time then.
Once I was tech on my unit because we had too many nurses and needed another tech. Well day shift comes in and one tech comes and gets report and the other one doesn't come in. This is normal for this tech and they call and tell him to come in. Fast forward 15 mins and call lights are going off and day shift is expecting me to get them. Really. Why aren't you demanding your staff to come in on time. I sat there and told them no, they need to explain to their staff that being over an hour late means you get in trouble.
Seeing nurses throw each other under the bus for anything while NEVER seeing docs do the same to their peers even when I have seen some boneheaded decisions or under-thought orders.
Seeing nurses throw each other under the bus for anything while NEVER seeing docs do the same to their peers even when I have seen some boneheaded decisions or under-thought orders.
No, They just back each other even if they know they are wrong.
Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.
Okay, I'll admit it. I did it once on nights. I was talking to a co-worker and realized my pits stank so, still talking, I went to my back pack, got out my Secret, and rolled it on. I went down the top of my shirt. My friend just looked at me and I realized what I was doing and apologized.
I'm guilty, too. Sorry! I've only done it a few times. I'm pretty sure I have hyperhydrosis!! I only did it in front of nurses I knew well.
In report: "Foley is patent." (At my first job, that was the thing to write in the GU part of our report sheets.) Really? What's the alternative? In report: "Foley clotted off, still clotted off. Not patent." ???
"I don't even have time to peeeeee!!" Yes, you do. It can be done in 60-120 seconds. Really, you can't spare 60-120 seconds?
Scrub tops that cling to the wearer's breasts.
Requesting a prn when available = clock watching = drug seeker!!!!!!!! Don't worry about it. Hey, it save YOU from having to watch the clock to keep on top of your pt's pain.
Honestly, if there's some down time and all your work is (essentially) done, I don't see the problem with looking at your smart phone at the nurses station - especially on night shift. I don't think it's unprofessional, and it seems like psycho micromanagement to wholesale ban it.
LobotRN, BSN, RN
183 Posts
Yep, I got one of those on my floor, too. I can always clean up after a prior shift's hell ride, I'm fresh and have energy. But when they ALWAYS have a rough night, it becomes suspect