Marsha64

I have the same problem but our turnover is so fast we don't have techs with service over about6 months. Recently unit management and our peer group decided that the nurses should get one of the 3 sets of vital signs to decrease falls and allow more time for baths and stocking by the techs. Ha, ha, ha. Even before the change techs were on their phones, completing a week's worth of school assignments, huddling and talking. One tech near me actually was face timing a friend, joined by another tech. They were LOUD. Another problem I have is cursing in all areas of the unit. So now, at the beginning of the shift, we are getting vital signs, checking blood sugars, assessing patients and preparing to pass medications. Every room I go in is a mess. There is no water at bedside. The patient always is hungry and needs to go to the bathroom. The techs are blissfully sitting in the hallway, laughing and cursing, talking about what happened at the club, .... I am so sick of it. I have voiced my option to our peer review people and department manager. My argument is they are rewarding bad behavior. They also have taken away the nurses ability to delegate. I work as a tech when we are short staffed. I use to fuss about working as a tech but no more. It's the cushioniest job on the unit. I don't know what to do.