So sick of people running to management and telling lies.

[RN1982]

Someone went to my manager and complained that the night shift isn't doing any baths. Give me a break. I worked almost every night last month, I bathed one patient every shift I worked and can vouch for my co-workers. I didn't bath the patient that was alert/oriented x 3. I bathed the vented patient with all the lines. Whoever complained stated that they are busier on days and do all the admits and transfers. Totally wrong considering I've gotten a considerable amount of admissions while working nights. I'm just sick of people lying to management and expecting the night shift to do all the work so their shift is easier. I've come in many times and find the day shift nurses sitting on the computer looking at facebook or checking their email. I'm just sick of people being petty.

[Vito Andolini]

So what are you doing about this?

[rn/writer, RN]

Keep a log of the disputed items. No need for HIPAA transgressions. Refer to patients by room numbers. But do keep an accurate account of how you spend your time and things like baths and other tasks until this kind of pettiness dies down. Document everything you can. That way you'll have some kind of coherent response when someone from another shift starts slinging false accusations.

It's unfortunate that some people have to act this way. Sorry you're going through such unpleasantness. Ultimately, you know what kind of care you give and how you treat your residents. A clear conscience is a good thing.

Thank you, on behalf of your residents for all that you do.

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I hate the shift wars.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

Definitely an argument for rotations between shifts....

[hollway2]

Believe it or not I work night shift and the only complaint I have is with the night shift who work on the other nights. When I come back on duty it is always catch up for the things that they were supposed to do, but didn't. Mentioned it to my manager but go no response so it was a waste of time. I suppose that at least if I do it I know that it is done. Never(hardly ever have a problem with the day/evening shifts.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I hate this, also. I worked nights as a CNA in a nursing home, and believe me, noc is NOT as easy as people think. True, we are not bombarded with family members and administrators, but, fighting against the circedean (did I spell that correctly?) rhythm, more patients crash at night, less staff, meaning more patients for nurses and aides to care for, more patients that are afraid to sleep at night, the wanderers from the sundowners, etc...does not lead to an easy night.

[RN1982]

It's just sad that people have to resort to pettiness. We get a lot of admits on the night shift. And I've worked plenty a day shift where I was not busy at all. Plus, on nights we are usually short staffed as opposed to day shift who are fully staffed. It just gets on my nerves. I know the kind of care I give my patients. And I document that my patient either gets a bath or that it's not need at this time. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have to do more work to make one shift's day easier.

[BGgirl]

Do we work at the same place? We have this same exact problem. In fact, it has come down to people on days assigning baths to the night shift. It's rediculous. I'm a nurse, I can tell when someone need to be bathed and when they don't. Some people during report only ask if the pt was bathed. That's all the care about.

Our policy on nights is to bathe confused pts and those going for tests early in the am. I've had dayshifters though say we should bathe people that need to be fed because they're just so busy on days. I'm sorry but they get one less pt and sometimes we're staffed with 8 pts and 2 nurses. Plus I agree we get a lot of admissions. I find this subject is just a never ending battle between the shifts.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

The thing that amazes me, though, is that instead of taking it to management - that we have ever sicker, mre needy, incapable of anything patients - we bicker amongst ourselves.

Back when the earth was still cooling the demented, cva-stricken 85 y.o.n tele would have been in ICU. Not a general med.surg unit with 6 others as acute/disabled as he.

[leslie :-D]

how do the day nurses 'know' who's not getting bathed?

i would think they need some supportive data.

and what does your nm say?

does she too, think it's a petty, shift war rivalry?

just keep on documenting...

as your colleagues should as well.

and don't sink to their level.

this crap is everywhere.

leslie

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Obviously, leslie, they DON'T know, since according to Detroit they are incorrect in their accusations.