CandyApple26

Not sure if this is relevant, but we use HealthStream.

Thank you guys! We are in charge of audits (infection control, restraints, telephone orders and if a nurse notes orders, SCD, narc, etc.), making sure the the fridges are clean and the right temperatures, discharge calls, going to get supplies if supplies are needed and are not stocked, and being there to help when needed. We do not note orders unless they are our own patients so that the nurse whose patient it is knows what is going on with his or her patients. We are a 45 bed unit with a full census all of the time. Each nurse runs with 5-6 patients during the day (so that's 8-9 nurses). I Thank you guys for your advice. I will be sure to take it =)

I have been a charge nurse for a few months off and on, but recently have been thrown into the role full time. I am a young nurse (I am the youngest on the floor) and often feel taken advantaged of by my fellow co-workers. I also am not being received well by my co-workers and do not know how to talk to them because they often get defensive and rude. My main problems are them asking me to do things for them because they did not manage their time well (starting an IV or because they want to take a break (unknown to me), getting an attitude when asked to do something or when I am too busy to complete a task for them, wanting me to change things to the day shift schedule that night shift made, after report has already started, throwing the fact that I am the charge nurse in my face ("Since you are the charge nurse, you need to take care of this" (i.e. things they could easily take care of like calling maintenance to get a toilet fixed, or "well you are the charge nurse, I thought I should be able to come to you"(like I haven't been asking them all day if they are okay)), lying to me about my responsibilities, asking me to start IV's when they haven't even tried, and interrupting me when I'm talking to someone else or on the phone (Especially with a physician) to ask me to do something or to tell me something that needs to be done. They also tell the other nurse they ask for help "Well, I asked her, but she is too busy to help me." Some things I realize I am just going to have to deal with, but I am trying to seek their approval. If I say no or get firm with someone (not necessarily raising my voice), it often gets taken as being disrespectful. I feel like they are walking all over me and I don't know how to stop them from doing it. I do not see them do this to the other charge nurse and I don't see the other charge nurse checking up on everyone either and going out of her way to do things like feed patients, take vitals for the techs when we are shorthanded, pull patients up in bed, help clean up patients, answer call bells, or grab someone's med rec's and offer support when someone's patient is going bad. I am not trying to put anyone down, but I really do not want to be unhelpful. It is really starting to take a toll on me stress wise and I wanted some other charge nurse to charge nurse advice. I don't want these other nurses to turn against me, but at the same time, I don't want them to expect me to do their work for them.