SweetLoriRedRN

"Here's the difference between nurses and other staff: Staff does the best they can to get the job done. Nurses do whatever it takes to get the job done." Hallelujah and AMEN!!!! You NAILED it directly on the head!!!!

You guys have made me feel a bit better. I just wish that those outside of clinical care could at least TRY to see the other side. And it may be stooping down to a much lower level, but the next time "they" ask me for help with their non-clinical, non-nursing function I may feel like saying "that's not the nurses job." Sad thing is that I have NEVER said those words, because if someone needs help I try my very best to assist. And if I'm going to be doing my job along with their job I think I need to ask for a raise in salary.........hahahaha uh-huh yeah right!!!!

I'm glad to help anyone in time of need. But help me PLEASE if I need it.......shouldn't the Golden Rule apply here??? I suppose in a PERFECT world this would be the case....

Jack of All Trades!!!! That's what we are!!! I don't mind even if I have to clean the toilet.......as long as patient care doesn't suffer.

I wish the roles could be reversed!! I understand that those in the nonmedical role surely get overwhelmed and stressed also, but they aren't responsible for the patient AND they don't have to worry about protecting and keeping a license.

Mamamerlee, I hadn't yet thought of the FINANCIAL impact of an RN performing clerical duties. One of the reasons the office manager had an issue is because the Medical Records clerk had said something to her about being behind in her work and having "too much" to do. And speaking in financial terms, staff was very recently cut to SAVE money. One of whom was a more experienced Med Records clerk. I OFTEN get behind and feel I have so much to do. BUT I cope with it and do it!!!!! If patient care isn't an isssue, I'm sure none of us mind helping the clerical staff or ANY other staff member that is in need.

:angryfireGotta vent!!! I work in an outpatient office setting. Today, while trying to tend to 2-3 pending patient situations, I asked the lady in Medical Records to call a physician's office and ask for a copy of an EKG. Now this EKG had already been interpreted by the physician that did it. AND the NP had ALREADY talked with the physician about the results. The office manager heard my request. She wanted to know WHY I was asking Medical Records to do this. "That is the nurse's job," she said. Now this task requires NO nursing judgement. I ended up calling for the EKG, never once spoke to a healthcare professional. Phone call took 10 minutes. I talked to someone in MEDICAL RECORDS!!! I get so disgusted with those NON-CLINICAL manager types without ANY nursing experience telling me what nurse's job is. I do understand that I need to make these types of calls sometimes, BUT DON'T tell me that only "the nurse" can do it. Thanks for listening!!

As far as circulating in the OR is concerned......It's very physical at times. Don't forget to add crawling along with moving and lifting!! I've crawled underneath the OR table many, many times to adjust this or that.