Drinks at the nursing station is most definitely a heated topic. Has anyone found a solution to this issue that both nurses and management are happy with?
At the hospital i'm at, we have kind of a decent sized backroom at the nursing stations; a lot like this picture
For closed drinks; what about putting the drinks in a stackable sealed container like this?
Stackable so they can be kept neatly on the side or corner of the back room and this way the drinking bottles themselves will never come in direct contact with anything "contaminated." If management is worried about the inside of the containers becoming contaminated through communal/repeated use, the solution for that could be using the disinfection wipes before a nurse puts her/his drink in there at the start of their shift.
Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
The term "associate" is now used commonly in retail to make low-paid employees feel more valued. I always thought it was a rather insulting euphemism and glad I didn't have to put up with it.
I find it rather chilling that hospitals are jumping on this bandwagon. Are they trying to blur the distinctions between employee groups so the public doesn't realize how few nurses there actually are? Or is it seen as more egalitarian when doctors and housekeepers have the same title?
"Hi, I'm Tricia. This is my associate and this is my other associate!"
There are many Senior Centers in my area that require a uniform (black skirt/slacks with a pale green button down and a black vest or cardigan for all staff other than managers.
Officially, this is supposed to make the residents feel like they are in a luxury suite. However, the uniform (which is probably a horrible fomite) masks the lack of licensed professionals providing services.
Well we complain that we don't feel "valued" and then when they try to give us what we want, we shoot them down for it. That's fair.
What exactly did "we" shoot "them" down for? There has been dispute about the term "associate," although I sense most of us prefer the term "RN," "LPN," or "licensed nurse" to "associate." I don't see anyone complaining about a management that trusts professional adults to manage their drinks at the desk.
Well we complain that we don't feel "valued" and then when they try to give us what we want, we shoot them down for it. That's fair.
I guess you didn't understand the sarcasm in that post.
I'm with Far. What did "they" give us that "we" want?
'Cause I sure as heck didn't ask for increased ratios and decreased unlicensed personnel. Or the new policies that state it is perfectly OK to put evolving PE into Observation as long as it's only one sided. Or for symptomatic EKG change patients to be considered safe in OBS. Or for me to be responsible for two inpatient tele holds and one inpatient Med-Surg hold, two of which have the flu (one A, the other B), and one who is a full code 90 year old dementia patient who loves pulling out IVs, along with two fresh chest pains from the ED, one of which is unstable.
**huffs and puffs**
Maybe "they" think a badge holder or a penlight makes up for that.
When I first saw this post "previewed" on the app, I didn't know you were responding to Far. I was all prepared to read that it was the "associate" who ended up with a 16g garden hose in her arm who was the "quitter". [emoji38]
Sorry but I've worked in several other industries, and I will skip the associate title. I've worked for large corporations, non-profits, and successful family businesses. "General Manager" "Director of Communications" "Family Advocate/Licensed Counselor" and "Registered Nurse" all sit much better with me, as well as helping to define my role and responsibilities. Whether I have 0 direct reports or 60, it doesn't matter.
Last year we were given a water bottle for nurses week. 80% of them leaked from the screw on plastic bottom. [emoji106]
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Well we complain that we don't feel "valued" and then when they try to give us what we want, we shoot them down for it. That's fair.
I don't feel valued by a stupid title. In fact, it's downright demeaning. Why don't they just pop jelly beans into my mouth?
"Valued" means being taken seriously. So when I talk about genuine concerns I expect to be listened to, not fobbed off by silly titles or stupid trinkets. Glad you liked your vest. I want adequate staffing and equipment that works.
I don't feel valued by a stupid title. In fact, it's downright demeaning. Why don't they just pop jelly beans into my mouth?
"Valued" means being taken seriously. So when I talk about genuine concerns I expect to be listened to, not fobbed off by silly titles or stupid trinkets. Glad you liked your vest. I want adequate staffing and equipment that works.
I have never understood this problem. At a hospital I worked at in Tampa there was a section of the nurses station marked "non biohazard area" and we could eat and drink in that area. Sanctioned by Jcho - Easy cheesy.
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I don't feel valued by a stupid title. In fact, it's downright demeaning. Why don't they just pop jelly beans into my mouth?
"Valued" means being taken seriously. So when I talk about genuine concerns I expect to be listened to, not fobbed off by silly titles or stupid trinkets. Glad you liked your vest. I want adequate staffing and equipment that works.
Heck, I'd just settle for having enough equipment to go around. We've been taking some serious risks with our patients- not enough emergency equipment, not enough ICU beds, and not canceling non-emergent surgeries.
Farawyn
12,646 Posts
You brought it up. I'd like to see yours, besides the cute nickname.