Stupid hospital/company tricks

Nurses General Nursing

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The stupid nurse trick thread and some of the abusive policies cited in the getting fired for being late/calling out thread have triggered me to start this thread. What ludicrous policies have been put in place where you work or have worked, what was the rationale for the policy, and what was the result?

My example:

One hospital I used to work for tried to force the nursing staff to bake cookies for the patients using what looked like a cross between an easy-bake oven and a toaster oven. Cookies were to be offered at....you've guessed it...7pm. Yes, right at change of shift. They also wanted us to DOCUMENT offering cookies. Predictably, this new mandate was met with howls of protest from nursing, which were entirely ignored.

The ovens went to each floor except ICU to "make the hospital feel welcoming and increase patient satisfaction." The already busy nurses often burned the cookies, or ate them during report, as they had not had time for a break all day. The majority of our cardiac patients were also diabetic. The floor smelled often of burnt cookies. The staff was resentful. A few months later, the cookie ovens disappeared, never to be mentioned again.

Specializes in NICU.

Ah the turkeys in Southern CA. We did that too.

Ahahaha! This reminds me of a video produced by ATI about bed baths that we were to show to our first semester nursing students. The patient is of normal weight and is bathed by a nurse who uses approximately 500 washcloths for the bath. Needless to say so unrealistic, and I refused to show it without discussing reality (i.e., the patient will be at least twice your weight, immobile, and there are only two washcloths left on the cart and the CNA is too swamped to help).[/quote']

They are still showing it!! I had to watch that exact video!!!! anyone in the class who had any pt care experience was laughing their head off through the whole thing.

In our breakroom there is a very pretty, computer created sign encouraging staff to be mindful about how much linen we use because we have been consistently going over our laundry budget. Take only what you are going to use; re-use the heavy blankets if they are not soiled, etc. The heading of this sign?

"Be penny wise and pound foolish"

Oh yeah.

The irony is, that is exactly what the PTB are great at doing themselves!!

I'm sure this isn't very uncommon but I'm still a little bitter about my Christmas bonus... A frozen turkey that has been taking up about 1/4 of the space in my freezer. I'd never complain about a pizza party. We always get donuts or soft pretzels.[/quote']

Christmas bonus? What is this Christmas bonus that you speak of?

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Christmas bonus? What is this Christmas bonus that you speak of?

I've heard of those, but thought they were mythical.

Specializes in Gerontology.

Some idiot tried to start a weekly "sharing circle" where we would sit together and "share" our feelings, what was going on in our lives etc. Complete with fake candle sticks, run by the Chaplain. Yeah, um, NO! Did not last long. Most of us were too smart to say anything.

OMG, the frozen turkeys! Y'all should have set up a long hallway, grabbed some brooms, and done Olympic curling practice!

Specializes in Multiple.
Friend of mine works at a hospital that makes every nurse who cares for a patient sign a "thank you for allowing (me) to care for you" card, which is mailed to the patient's home after discharge. I imagine all of those patients throw out those cards as soon as they get them, too. No money for more nurses, but money for printing and mailing! All in the name of patient satisfaction scores!

They do this at the Same-Day Surgery Center and as a patient, I thought it was kind of neat. Although, I did throw mine away. My daughter had surgery with the same doc at the same place a year later and I've kept hers (it was her first surgery). Her card seemed much more personable. So I guess I'm saying that some patients appreciate them.

They do this at the Same-Day Surgery Center and as a patient, I thought it was kind of neat. Although, I did throw mine away. My daughter had surgery with the same doc at the same place a year later and I've kept hers (it was her first surgery). Her card seemed much more personable. So I guess I'm saying that some patients appreciate them.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. However, I'd rather see money get used for things like better staffing.

The back scratchers make me think "you better scratch your own back because nobody around here is going to scratch it for you" in other words anti teamwork lol

I worked at a hospital that eliminated housekeeping staff. The nurses, aides, and techs were responsible for cleaning patient rooms and bathrooms. Administration had the nerve to tell us that patients preferred it this way because they didn't like seeing so many different staff members in their rooms. Yeah, sure. I know I prefer seeing my nurse clean the toilet before caring for me.

Specializes in Gerontology.
I worked at a hospital that eliminated housekeeping staff. The nurses, aides, and techs were responsible for cleaning patient rooms and bathrooms. Administration had the nerve to tell us that patients preferred it this way because they didn't like seeing so many different staff members in their rooms. Yeah, sure. I know I prefer seeing my nurse clean the toilet before caring for me.

Yes, Mrs Brown. I will get your pain medication, right after I finish scrubbing your toilet and giving you some more toilet paper!

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