What does your head nurse need to know?

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

If you could tell your head nurse one true thing, with the guarantee that you would be believed, and no reprisals, what would it be?

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Specializes in oncology, trauma, home health.

That if she shows me one more picture from her Myspace account on how great she looked at New Years, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, her birthday, mother's day, her sick day, that other nurse's last day, arts fest, etc, I will have to throw up on her leopard print Danskos.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

That if we are short we expect her to find us someone or help out some. Over all be a good advocate for your staff.

As a side note I did tell a manager before to "Put some scrubs on and get to work" when she came in to help a GN with some orientee paperwork and saw how short we were. I protested all the admits due to short staff and they kept filling our floor first and asked if some of the admits could go to the better staffed floors and she told me no. So I told her to walk herself down to the ER and get some scrubs and help out. (I would never say that again, not good to say, but she should have been a better advocate for her staff. I however worked a midnight 7p-7a and then doubled back and came in 3p-11p. I don't advise saying what I said. I was lucky I wasn't fired or written up for insubordination. I am lucky she liked me.)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

"Please say or do something to help get this place adequately staffed. Please, because patients' lives and the staff's sanity depends on it."

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Specializes in ER.

If someone puts down your good employee, say something complimentary to back them up quickly. It's your job to support and promote your team.

Staffing is in your job description- if you know a shift needs filling don't leave it to others to figure out a solution, or work short, at the last minute.

Once a piece of equipment has been approved, ordered, and delivered, have it installed in a timely fashion. We've been waiting a few years for this promised item, and clearly need it.

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Specializes in NICU.

That you are totally AWESOME!

You're the best nursing supervisor I have ever had (actually best supervisor I've ever had at any job .... ever).

You're totally fair to everyone and don't take sides. You don't talk about people behind their backs.

You don't talk down to the new people or the people that have questions.

You jump in and help out and go above and beyond your duties. I know you have a lot to do, but even on those run-your-butt-off-crazy nights, you still manage to go around and ask everyone if they need help.

You have no problem jumping in and starting an IV or doing a round for someone that's busy .... and it's very much appreciated.

You're one of the reasons I love working where I do so much and I really enjoy working the days that you're charge.

(actually I've already told her this in person, but I know she doesn't hear it enough)

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Thank you for being supportive, hard working, funny, generous, kind, wise and patient.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

If you don't staff this unit appropriately your 'Press Gainey' scores will suffer as will your patient 'Fall scores'. This is unsafe for the patients and they and their families are going to notice.

If the supervisor whines that someone above them is forcing all these admissions or low staffing numbers then tell them to grow a spine now and back up your staff or pay the consequences when nurses and aids are out on work related injuries and become ill due to all this stress.

Imagine the meeting you will have to attend to explain all the negative issues in a couple months.

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Please enforce hospital policy regarding tardiness --- and that includes making sure that the oncoming shift is ready to take report on time.

They can drink their coffee and eat breakfast and visit and gossip after I'm gone and on my way home to bed. :angryfire

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Specializes in Addiction & Recovery, Community Health.

Nurseby07...

I know that exact same person, Dansko's and all, I'm sure!!! LOL It's funny to read, but very frustrating to know this person and those like them.

Tell me how you cope, please. (PM if you want)

I have learned to just keep my distance from all because I have known several like this, actually.

Thanks.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I would say, "You're great; I appreciate you a lot. I also know your clinical skills are rusty and that's NOTHING to be ashamed of. Come around me with for half a shift and see where the real problems are and what administration is really expecting of us. And if staffing ever calls and says that you, personally, are out on the floor and doing an admit or anything to do with hands-on patient care, I will rise from my sick bed or postpone whatever is going on with my other job and drive quickly to the aid of the short-staffed floor because THEN I know it's really serious. You are smart and funny and capable, and if you come out to the front lines with the troops, you will be surprised how the floor will respond."

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Specializes in floor to ICU.
That if she shows me one more picture from her Myspace account on how great she looked at New Years, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, her birthday, mother's day, her sick day, that other nurse's last day, arts fest, etc, I will have to throw up on her leopard print Danskos.

LOL, I just spewed coffee all over the computer screen!

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