Upset with delegation

[lovaza]

I work as an RN in medsurg/tele unit in one of the hospital in Illinois. When I came to work last night I was surprised and upset because charge nurse put me as PCT. There were 4 nurses on night shift plus our charge RN and one PCT. There are 16 patients on the unit but only 1 PCT available. That's why they put me as second PCT on the floor. I was upset because they could have devide the 16 patients to 4 nurses including me, then give 8 pts to PCT and 4 RN's would take 2 pts for complete care. I feel like being bullied in my work place and my patient the other night when I work as RN was asking me if was demoted. Is it fair assignment or do I need to talk to my manager about this matter. Please advise. Thank you.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

I agree that all CNA/PCT duties are encompassed within the RN scope of practice. Nonetheless, it would have been more equitable if the charge nurse had ascertained if any of the four night shift RNs actually wanted to work as a PCT that night.

Out of four nurses, the odds are good that at least one will burst in joy at the thought of dropping all licensed nursing responsibilities to work as a PCT/aide for the entire shift. But to find this information out, the charge nurse needs to ask around.

Gotcha. Food for thought. Also, with the added information from the OP, I can see why it comes off as "bullying" or singling a particular person out to do certain tasks and then have them be treated a certain way.

I'd take TheCommuter's suggestions, OP.

[lovaza]

I think I see what's going on here. Is it safe to assume that you are a new nurse or new to the facility? Or both? If that's the case then, yes, I can definitely see this from a bullying aspect.

You are right. I'm just six months in my work and only male nurse during that shift.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

You are right. I'm just six months in my work and only male nurse during that shift.

Definitely follow TheCommuter's recommendations!

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

The nurse who yelled at you never would have gotten away with treating an experienced nurse like that and she knows it. Whether you're six months or six years in, that behavior is unacceptable and inexcusable.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Yes. Because first time I work as PCT my co- RN yelled at me, she ordered me to attend her pt first while I was assisting a fall risk patient in the commode.

Did the RN actually "yell" at you? This is not acceptable. I would have looked around for witnesses and had the nursing supervisor on the unit ASAP. You are held accountable to your RN scope of practice, even when assigned to aid duty. You would still be responsible for prioritization. A little late on the draw, but I would still write up the incident. You should not be the RN assigned to aid duties every time. Volunteers or no, a rotation log needs to be started. Start one with your last "turn".

Present it to madame charge nurse and your manager as a " positive action to provide safe staffing".

[lovaza]

Did the RN actually "yell" at you? This is not acceptable. I would have looked around for witnesses and had the nursing supervisor on the unit ASAP. You are held accountable to your RN scope of practice, even when assigned to aid duty. You would still be responsible for prioritization. A little late on the draw, but I would still write up the incident. You should not be the RN assigned to aid duties every time. Volunteers or no, a rotation log needs to be started. Start one with your last "turn".

Present it to madame charge nurse and your manager as a " positive action to provide safe staffing".

Thank you so much.

[cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP]

At first glance of your post I though it isn't uncommon to see nurses fill in as a CNA/PCT when you have plenty of nurses staffed but not enough ancillary personnel. Personally, I would be more than happy to volunteer to do it myself now that I have been a nurse for 5+ years but as a new nurse I would have been a bit more hesitant.

As I read your post more there are a few things that jump out, the fact that you are consistently the person being selected to do this and the way you're being treated in this role is the problem. Do I think this is bullying? Its tough to say, but there are some things that I would address with the charge nurse in the moment that this is being discussed. I would calmly and professionally mention that you have been selected on more than one occasion to do this and think that it is someone else's turn to rotate to this role. My guess is that because you are new and are not likely to complain that is why they are doing this instead of trying to get the other nurses to do it. The charge nurse should ask each nurse if someone wants to rotate to the role and if no one does then all the nurses will be reminded that being short a CNA/PCT means that they will need to help provide the complete care for some of their patients (this may change the minds of some people who are hesitant to fill in as a CNA/PCT). If you are repeatedly being put into this role with no rotation occurring and you are being spoken to in a rude/disrespectful manner when in this role then you should first address it with the individuals involved and if nothing changes then bring it to your manager.

Best of luck OP!

!Chris

[lovaza]

At first glance of your post I though it isn't uncommon to see nurses fill in as a CNA/PCT when you have plenty of nurses staffed but not enough ancillary personnel. Personally, I would be more than happy to volunteer to do it myself now that I have been a nurse for 5+ years but as a new nurse I would have been a bit more hesitant.

As I read your post more there are a few things that jump out, the fact that you are consistently the person being selected to do this and the way you're being treated in this role is the problem. Do I think this is bullying? Its tough to say, but there are some things that I would address with the charge nurse in the moment that this is being discussed. I would calmly and professionally mention that you have been selected on more than one occasion to do this and think that it is someone else's turn to rotate to this role. My guess is that because you are new and are not likely to complain that is why they are doing this instead of trying to get the other nurses to do it. The charge nurse should ask each nurse if someone wants to rotate to the role and if no one does then all the nurses will be reminded that being short a CNA/PCT means that they will need to help provide the complete care for some of their patients (this may change the minds of some people who are hesitant to fill in as a CNA/PCT). If you are repeatedly being put into this role with no rotation occurring and you are being spoken to in a rude/disrespectful manner when in this role then you should first address it with the individuals involved and if nothing changes then bring it to your manager.

Best of luck OP!

!Chris

Thank you for the advice.

[Sour Lemon]

I've been the PTC voluntarily before, but I would be a little upset to be assigned as such with no say in the matter. Sure, it's within my scope, but the routine is completely different and the work tends to be more physical in nature. The DON is capable as functioning as a PCT, too ...but we all know how that would go over.

[DeeAngel]

This happens everywhere I have ever worked in my lifetime. If you hate it that much find a job that will never float you. It's crappy and an awful thing to do to RNs. Floating made me leave the profession forever.

[NotYourMamasRN]

This has been standard practice in all the hospitals I have worked in. I feel like it keeps me humble when I do their job, because sometimes I think I forget how back breaking tech work is. In a way, though their job is physically hard, I enjoy a break from all the charting and meds I would otherwise have to pass.

[lovaza]

This happens everywhere I have ever worked in my lifetime. If you hate it that much find a job that will never float you. It's crappy and an awful thing to do to RNs. Floating made me leave the profession forever.

I am regular in that unit and my second night on duty. I was expecting I get the same patient for continuous of care as an RN. I was surprised they gave my previous patients to another nurse and put me as PCT.