Should I do more??

[Aloe_sky]

Hello all,

I am a lpn currently working in a small doctors office (assisting on average 3-5 Drs), I have worked in this office for 7 years. I recently have a new manager that is actually the receptionist (the clinic is cutting nursing staff, so it was cheaper to hire a non-nursing manager and the nurses are slowly being replaced with medical assistants). They are cutting staff BIG TIME! we went from 2 nurses a shift down to one and there are some overlapping with the receptionist. The pay is VERY LOW (I'm very embarrassed to let ppl know how much I make lol) and with the shift cut means more work.

My new manager is upset with the nurses not helping the receptionists (eg. filing, pulling charts and answering the phones). There is one nurse that ALWAYS helps the receptionists but hardly does any of her nursing duties (stocking rooms, call backs, referrals etc).

I am one that NEVER helps at the front unless I happen to pass by and I notice they are busy I will answer the odd incoming call. I feel there is more than enough work for the nurses to do that I shouldn't have to help in the front.

Since there is one nurse at a time, although we are legally suppose to have a break, WE DO NOT because it is really frowned upon by the management and the Drs (one VERY ABUSIVE Dr actually called management to complain on me when I went to lunch because he needed me!).

My coworker that always helps at the front told me yesterday that the manager is complaining about me and the other nurse not helping, she's becoming VERY ANNOYED recently. Im really at my breaking point with this job and I wish I could leave but nursing jobs are not easy to find in my city.

sorry but I honestly feel it is not worth me overworking myself for such a low pay. I have a BsN but I have not taken the NCLEX yet.

Should I help more in the front, especially since I may need her as a reference or should i stick to my nursing duties?

[Libby1987]

I think you're brave to take a non nursing job just prior to trying to find a job as an RN in a city that doesn't have a lot of nursing opportunity.

I know that you're painting a pretty bad picture of the practice with the changes taking place, but that type of thing is going on everywhere. We're all having our workloads increased and more varied, less patient care unless you're willing to bust ass.

I'm not saying it's right or that your place isn't worst of the worse, but I wouldn't quit this late in the game when you're just about to look for an RN position.

[Aloe_sky]

I would also see if I could backtrack all the days that I did not take a lunch break or 15 minute break, and when I left, I would make a large complaint to the Labor Board, for not getting you legally allowed breaks. You are legally allowed a 15 minute break for every four hours that you work.

You could be looking at getting a large check in the future.

The way I am treated, I really should...the company is so cheap if I punch out 1 minute before the end of shift they deduct if from my pay!!!!!! but if I am even 5 minutes early I don't see a penny!

The manager brought pamphlet of our legal rights (which states we are entitled to a lunch). We (the nurses) complained that we don't get a lunch, it was recommended that we bring a lunch and space out our breaks!!! THE NERVES OF THESE PEOPLE!!!

I should report them.

[Aloe_sky]

and by space out they do not mean 15-30 minutes...they mean a 5 minutes here and there! One nurse was actually called from the lunch room 10 minutes into her lunch to give an injection. The doctor told her she had to and that she could finish her lunch after.

[Aloe_sky]

I know that you're painting a pretty bad picture of the practice with the changes taking place, but that type of that is going on everywhere. We're all having our workloads increased and more varied, less patient care unless you're willing to bust ass.

Unfortunately thats what I've heard.

[canigraduate]

Definitely report them to the Labor Board and I would also consult a labor attorney. You can sue them for breaking the law, if you want to stand up to this type of thing.

In the meantime, very calmly talk to the practice manager about the legalities of the situation and "wouldn't it be awful if we were reported?"

"I wonder what would happen if the state came in and inspected us?" They need to realize they do not exist in a vacuum and they have to follow the law just like everyone else.

I would also talk to the practice manager about your job description, because you are not required to do anything that isn't in it.

Finally, this place sounds like a joke stereotype on TV. If it is that bad, why are you even working there? Do you have a victim personality? Do you need to be treated bad to feel worthy? I honestly don't understand why you would put up with this. I would have been OUT and working at a retail store while I was looking for another job. I have an issue with employers respecting me. If they don't respect me, I return the favor, with interest.

There are plenty of places that are normal, you should try to find one of those. I understand that there are few nursing jobs in your city, but don't let that stop you from looking. If you don't at least look, you will never find.

You need to talk to the rest of the nursing staff and tell them to stop it. They are letting themselves be taken advantage of. If you are a good example of boundary setting and limit enforcing, they will follow your lead.

BTW - no one is "making you" do any behavior, that requires physical force. You can give in and let them coerce you. So, in effect, your staff is allowing this to happen to them.

[PS0812]

For every action there is a reaction.....thank you Mr. Newton. Don't burn any bridges. I feel your pain, we've all been there. Try to blend the receptionist and nursing work as the patient load permits. Study for the NCLEX and put your backside in warp drive and get out of there as soon as you can.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

Take your NCLEX and get the heck out of there. I've been in your shoes and know right where you are coming from. Bet the nurse that "helps" the receptionist is their little pet, because they don't notice how her nursing duties are neglected (because they are not nurses) and that she is doing a piss-poor job as a nurse. All management sees is that she is sooo helpful in the front, while you're in the back putting out fires and working your tail off to give good nursing care. I've also worked in a Drs office with a non-nursing manager. It was awful. I was the only nurse in the office and management had no idea about nursing priorities/liabilities, etc. I was told to do whatever the Dr wanted although I explained certain things were not within my nursing scope of practice. Needless to say, we butted heads alot and in the end I just had to refuse to do certain things. Not a happy situation. But just remember the bad job of your coworker will eventually bite her in the ***. She will miss something important and something bad will happen. Then her sloppy nursing will be noticed.

[Aloe_sky]

you're right I can bring up the legal issue with not being able to take a break but realistically I don't want to burn any bridges. Funny I know since I don't feel comfortable using my current manager as a reference anyway lol but I still need the job.

It is the cutbacks that has made things worse, believe me the pay has always been bad but the workload has not been this bad! When it was 2 nurses we were able to cover each other during breaks, now there is only one nurse so we are left on our own unable to take breaks. Also my manager being a receptionist and having NO IDEA what it is the nurses actually do makes the situation harder.

My coworker is a push over in every sense of the word. She is easily bullied by my manager and my manger is VERY disrespectful to her (funny especially since my coworker does almost anything she asks her to do and even bought her a birthday gift lol). My co-worker has complained about getting in trouble for doing the billing and booking incorrectly (which is the receptionist job). I have asked her why she bothers to do it and she said the manager asked her to do it. She said it started out at her being bored in the back, asking the manager if she needed help to her helping in the front everyday to it now being an expectation for her and now an expectation for ALL the nurses!

I really shouldn't take the disrespect, and believe me I have taken a lot at my job! maybe it is an excuse but I NEED the money. I would easily work somewhere else and I've put out many resumes (maybe not as much as I should have but I was focusing on school) and I have not received one callback in the years I've been a nurse! (maybe it is my resume thats the problem lol). My focus has always been looking for another nursing job but I am at that point I will even apply to a retail job!

They are looking for the nurses to quit anyway because they are no longer hiring nurses, so for every nurse that quits we are replaced by a medical assistant.

I have taken a break from looking because I am focusing on studying for the NCLEX, hopefully as an RN I will have a better opportunity!!!

[canigraduate]

It's a craptacular position to be in, and I wish you the best of luck getting out if it.

[Aloe_sky]

OMG!! I replied to your comment and my darn wifi went out as soon as I hit post comment and my long response was deleted ugh, I would hate if i refresh the page and it shows up as posted lol...but I was saying that my manager does not notice a thing in the nursing station, not even when my coworker does not take care of urgent referrals or callbacks!

It is horrible having a non-nurse manager, they have no clue about what the nurses do. She even had the nerves to tell the nurses how long the nursing assessments should take!!!!!!! The same nurse thats her pet got in trouble for taking too long to do a dressing!

I will definitely focus on the NCLEX and getting the heck out.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

you're right I can bring up the legal issue with not being able to take a break but realistically I don't want to burn any bridges. Funny I know since I don't feel comfortable using my current manager as a reference anyway lol but I still need the job.

It is the cutbacks that has made things worse, believe me the pay has always been bad but the workload has not been this bad! When it was 2 nurses we were able to cover each other during breaks, now there is only one nurse so we are left on our own unable to take breaks. Also my manager being a receptionist and having NO IDEA what it is the nurses actually do makes the situation harder.

My coworker is a push over in every sense of the word. She is easily bullied by my manager and my manger is VERY disrespectful to her (funny especially since my coworker does almost anything she asks her to do and even bought her a birthday gift lol). My co-worker has complained about getting in trouble for doing the billing and booking incorrectly (which is the receptionist job). I have asked her why she bothers to do it and she said the manager asked her to do it. She said it started out at her being bored in the back, asking the manager if she needed help to her helping in the front everyday to it now being an expectation for her and now an expectation for ALL the nurses!

I really shouldn't take the disrespect, and believe me I have taken a lot at my job! maybe it is an excuse but I NEED the money. I would easily work somewhere else and I've put out many resumes (maybe not as much as I should have but I was focusing on school) and I have not received one callback in the years I've been a nurse! (maybe it is my resume thats the problem lol). My focus has always been looking for another nursing job but I am at that point I will even apply to a retail job!

They are looking for the nurses to quit anyway because they are no longer hiring nurses, so for every nurse that quits we are replaced by a medical assistant.

I have taken a break from looking because I am focusing on studying for the NCLEX, hopefully as an RN I will have a better opportunity!!!

I would not judge your co-worker too harshly. Manipulative measures are sometimes put into place--as a means of "controlling" others. Especially with the coworkers who are seemingly "pushovers". In other words, by your coworker being "bored" (or perhaps looking as if she was) hence the more of a workload, and the thought process that you all don't have enough to do. This is even more so when you have a non-nurse manager.

In the light of everything in healthcare becoming a business in every sense of the word, it takes a great deal of attention off of the patient. And it is everywhere that medical assistants are taking the place of nurses. (especially LPN's). They are perhaps lucky to make min. wage, if your pay after 7 years is so low.

I would also really point out to the receptionist/manager "I am doing referrals. That can generate revenue. Is that the priority, or is filing?" Interesting to note, but one wonders if they have the medical assistants up and running (and trained by you?) that you will no longer be needed. So I would start looking now.

I would see at this point if there's an urgent care that you could get into. It may be what you need to begin to cross over from an LPN to an RN.

Best wishes!

[klone, MSN, RN]

and by space out they do not mean 15-30 minutes...they mean a 5 minutes here and there! One nurse was actually called from the lunch room 10 minutes into her lunch to give an injection. The doctor told her she had to and that she could finish her lunch after.

Eh, that happens to me sometimes. I don't think that particular example is that big a deal. I find that unless I physically leave the premises during my break, I am at risk of being bothered. That is what you should do.