I'm venting because my co-worker is driving nuts and I have no nurse friends to gripe to. It's long, feel free to ignore.
I started a new job two and a half months ago, it's quite different from my LTC job mainly because I have an RN to work under (I'm an LVN), the patients are less stable and there are more nurses in general on the floor during my shift. All in all I like the facility, like the job, love the lighter patient load and LOVE the benefits.
One of the RN's (who's kinda high strung) that I'm frequently paired up with rides me like no other. As soon as I put my bag down the orders start shooting out of her mouth "Not now, check your patients, suction all of them, put the heads up on all the beds and check the feedings." I just smile and say "No problem" but week after week it's getting old. I know she's probably unsure of my skills since I'm not only new to the facility I'm a new nurse but my God she never lets up.
Last night was the kicker. She had a new admit who was quite demanding which made her more on edge than usual. One of my patients had a coughing fit when the CNA's turned him and she demanded I give him his PRN Librium for "his jerking." I looked in on him and he was up and quiet. I told her that he had a routine Klonopin that I was about to give him so I wanted to hold off on the PRN if possible. She did not take that well and gave me a warning that I needed to keep an eye on him. I did, put his headphones on with soothing music and had no problems.
She took her lunch break in the report room that is next to the nurses station, came back and clocked in. Later that night she said "I'm going to the report room to sleep" I responded with an "Um....ok." Ten minutes later a CNA wanted to know where she was and I pointed to the report room, the CNA went in to tell her a dressing had fallen off. I end up changing the dressing and she comes out of the room quite mad because "She woke me up right when I was about to fall asleep!" To top it off the RN at the other station takes me aside and lectures me on the importance of "Respecting people's break time." She was sleeping! I thought she sleeping in the report room so she'd be close if anyone needed her. I got so upset/frustrated that I walked to the bathroom and started crying (I'm a cryer when I've completely had it.)
So that was my night. I was called in to work an extra shift today but I passed eventhough I need the money. I need time to relax. I want to tell my boss but I don't really want to come out and say "So, the RN was sleeping...."
Specializes in ER, Ortho, Neuro, Med/Surg. oncology.
She's the charge nurse, right? If you need her, feel free and completely comfortable to wake her. It's her job. I realize night nursing is different than day nursing. I would NEVER think of taking a nap on the day shift and I had a hard time realizing it was acceptable to do so on the night shift.... until after about the fifth night! OMG! everyone else was doing it... and those naps were born of need, not boredom!! I respect night nurses so very much! I haven't worked a night shift in five years.... because I can't pull it off without mind-numbing lethargy!
In regard to another poster's comment about Tweety.... I've been visiting this site for about a year now. His posts impress me, too.... with his wisdom and positive attitude! Thank you, Tweety!
She's the charge nurse, right? If you need her, feel free and completely comfortable to wake her. It's her job. I realize night nursing is different than day nursing. I would NEVER think of taking a nap on the day shift and I had a hard time realizing it was acceptable to do so on the night shift.... until after about the fifth night! OMG! everyone else was doing it... and those naps were born of need, not boredom!! I respect night nurses so very much! I haven't worked a night shift in five years.... because I can't pull it off without mind-numbing lethargy!
In regard to another poster's comment about Tweety.... I've been visiting this site for about a year now. Her posts impress me, too.... with her wisdom and positive attitude! Thank you, Tweety!
Umm no, taking a nap while on the clock on nights really isn't acceptable. In most places it is considered a firing offense. Yes I know it is done quite a lot, but that doesn't change the situation. I've worked nights for 25 years and sleep in the day - my night shift is the same as your day shift for you. People mostly goof themselves up when they try to work all night and stay awake during the day.
I would always wake someone who was "on the clock" if I or a patient needed them.
I want to tell my boss but I don't really want to come out and say "So, the RN was sleeping...."
But you need to tell her. The patients come first, not your coworker's feelings. She is not there to sleep; she is there to work. Interrupted break time is pretty much a given in this business, which is why many facilities have a zero tolerance for sleeping workers.
P.S. I've never met an ICU nurse who slept on the job. So the rationalization that "she's running the unit like it's an ICU" just doesn't hold water for me.
I was raised in a house where we stuffed our feelings. Also as a young adult I did the same thing. All I have to show for it is borderline hypertension. :monkeydance:
She took her lunch break in the report room that is next to the nurses station, came back and clocked in. Later that night she said "I'm going to the report room to sleep"
Maybe I'm wrong, but the way I read this is that she took her break off the clock and later decided to take a nap on the clock.
Every place I ever worked, that was a firing offense. Taking a break off the clock was one thing, but you absolutely did not sleep on the clock. I've known of nurses getting woken up and sent home for that. Maybe the manager would look on that a bit differently than on how she treats her co-workers.
I worked with a nurse once who was called, behind her back, "Didja." As in, didja do this, didja do that. Of course, some of them needed a sheepdog to keep them on track. When she learned to trust someone, she stopped with the didjas. I liked working with her because she would actually help with patient care and not just give meds. She would, for example, go fill a water pitcher herself instead of spending 15 minutes looking for the patient care person to do it for her (as some of our other nurses did).
I'm not sure what the best solution for your problem would be; maybe just sitting down with her and telling her she's driving you crazy. I tend to tell people that nagging or rushing me makes me move slower, but you might not want to say that!
D'jeet? As in Did you eat? Too funny! Thanks for reminding me.:balloons:
OP, yes, do speak up, nicely. She needs to chill, you need to speak up. Best wishes.
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:balloons:
missrose
27 Posts
She's the charge nurse, right? If you need her, feel free and completely comfortable to wake her. It's her job. I realize night nursing is different than day nursing. I would NEVER think of taking a nap on the day shift and I had a hard time realizing it was acceptable to do so on the night shift.... until after about the fifth night! OMG! everyone else was doing it... and those naps were born of need, not boredom!! I respect night nurses so very much! I haven't worked a night shift in five years.... because I can't pull it off without mind-numbing lethargy!
In regard to another poster's comment about Tweety.... I've been visiting this site for about a year now. His posts impress me, too.... with his wisdom and positive attitude! Thank you, Tweety!