What is the deal with crazy assignments?

[1hotRN601]

I'm sure some of you may have gotten really odd or unreasonable assignments before. How do you react or what do you do? Last week I got an assignment of 3 patients, the patients were ok, but they were on three diffrent halls! Everyone else had patients on the same hall and rooms consecutively in order. I am new, but that should not have anything to do with it right?

[barbyann]

Many factors are considered when making assignments. Acuity, nurse experience and skill, pt preference and continuity of care are some of the factors that influence a charge nurse's decision when making an assigment.

You can always ask the charge to double check the assignments if a question arises. Sometimes things get overlooked and a "fix" is neccessary.

Things that will make me turn :angryfire (ugly) include nurses who come in 20 min. late and start picking the board apart. Those nurses who refuse to do charge but want to tell everyone else how it should be done. When the board is not current at change of shift.

[KulRN]

Crazy and unreasonable assignments???? Well, once in a while we get this on our floor too...The way I handle it is to check if the other nurses I'm working with have been in our unit the previous day..if so, then I don't complain because it's just reasonable that they get the same patients since they've had them already. Our charge nurse are actually fair in placing assignments and if something doesn't seem right or fair (like one nurse will have 3-4 accuchecks or discharge or something that will not allow a nurse to get a breather) then that's the time they will make some adjustments....and also communication is a must and voicing out your concern is better than complaining.....and complaining....see what the acuity is first and ask the the CN as to why such assignment...complaining will do you no good....speak up in a professional way....if you do it this way...trust me they will listen and respect you. I ahev a couple of colleagues that just like to complian the moment they walk in the unit and creates stress and tension....One time one of them I worked with wanted to trade assignments with me because the mere fact that she thinks she always get the heavier run...but we told her that we rotate location and it just so happen it was my turn to be on the location she wanted...turned out that my assignment was much heavier than her because I had multiple discharges and admissions....during the busy time I jokingly asked her if she still wanted to trade assignments and we both started laughing....of course I said it with humor.....so the key really is COMMUNICATION and GREAT RELATIONSHIP with your coworkers..

[allantiques4me]

Pt. safety should be priority.As well as your license.If you feel either are comprimised I definetly would hesitate on the assignment.

[KulRN]

Pt. safety should be priority.As well as your license.If you feel either are comprimised I definetly would hesitate on the assignment.

I STRONGLY AND 110% IN AGREANCE WITH THIS REPLY......SAFETY AND LICENSE TOP PRIORITY THEN COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIP COMES NEXT. :yeahthat: :icon_hug: