Shift blaming

[EmergencyChocolate]

Is shift blaming (i.e "Days didn't do ____, nights didn't do ___) common in your workplace? If so, what do you do about it?

I am a new grad who works nights on a 23-bed unit and almost always, I hear complaints about the other shift not doing something when I am receiving report AND giving report the next morning. I am seeing more and more of this - it has been getting increasing busy here with multiple admissions, short staffing, and increasing patient acuity. I had an especially rough shift that left my completely drained physically, mentally ,and emotionally - when I gave report to day shift they were asking me all these questions about why evening shift didn't do this and how they were frustrated that they had to do it etc. etc. and it just completely threw me over the edge. Honestly, what am I supposed to do about it? In management's eyes, it is acceptable to pass on work while staying late is frowned down upon. However, this happens all the time - sometimes things get passed on for days or gets dropped entirely and it just makes everyone upset because there is already so much to do. I have brought it up to my supervisor but was given a vague answer that basically told me what I already knew. What is your take on this - is this common in the real world of nursing? Or you can just answer the question above if you wish :) thanks for reading

[BrnEyedGirl, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

This argument is as old as time. I have been with the same hospital system for almost 20 years, same complaints in every unit I've ever worked on! I try to keep my mouth shut and not participate.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

At my first job, it was rampant ...because everyone on every shift was expected to work more than any human being could. At my current job, it's an occasional thing and usually only happens with good reason.

My personal strategy is to take care of the most difficult tasks first and pass on the easier ones if I have to pass on anything. I'm also kind to our day shift nurses and encourage them to go home, forget about the day, and trust me to catch and take care of anything that may have been overlooked. They behave the same way, in turn.

[flyersfan88]

It depends what is getting passed on. People forget that this is a 24 hour job and sometimes, not everything can get done. I for one hate the whining. Unless you're handing off to me 100 stat labs/a pt that hasn't voided in 10 hours because you didn't feel like straight cathing/never got around to hanging that blood (yep, that happened) etc etc....I'll probably handle it just fine. People who whine about simple dressing changes that take

My unit has a list of specific things that are divided by day/night responsibilities, such as PICC dressings, chest tube dressings, new IVs. It works out really well and almost everyone sticks to it.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

Just notify the MD if there is a serious lapse in patient care such as blood ordered at 8 am and never given and document . Let him report it or chew out the responsible party.

It's pretty effective when an MD moneymaker says keep her away from my patients.