What would you do?

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Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.

We have a new RN on one of our units who has been there almost a year now. She has poor organizational skills, frequently questions the charge nurse and others about what to do (but does not do what she is told), and is generally unprofessional (calls everyone baby, hon, etc. instead of sir or maam - including physicians). She has poor communication skills (frequently mispronounces even the easiest medical terms and uses extremely poor grammar), and has been in conflicts with nearly every nurse on the unit.

This nurse came to me last week and said that the manager wants to send her to charge class and she wants ME to orient her! I feel that this is a disaster waiting to happen, especially if she is put in charge when there are nurses who are equally as inexperienced as she. It would be like the blind leading the blind.

Even though I am now in the float pool and have no obligation to orient her, I was on that unit for seven years and have a very close relationship with the manager, and we still help each other out professionally. I want to go to her and say, "What in the world are you thinking!" But, on the other hand, I don't want to alienate her or make her think I'm not a team player.

Advice, comments?

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If you do not think this is a good idea, then tell the person in charge. If you don't think that would be wise, or you don't want to do it, then don't. But I would not orient this person if I felt the way that you say you do. You do not want any onus on you about her qualifications after she has finished orientation. You do not need the headache or the blame.

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Specializes in ER.

Just say no, and give factual objective examples of behavior you are concerned about. She can't master charge if she's not a decent floor nurse.

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Specializes in Emergency, CCU, SNF.

Be honest about your concerns, the manager may not be aware of some of the issues.

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We have a new RN on one of our units who has been there almost a year now. She has poor organizational skills, frequently questions the charge nurse and others about what to do (but does not do what she is told), and is generally unprofessional (calls everyone baby, hon, etc. instead of sir or maam - including physicians). She has poor communication skills (frequently mispronounces even the easiest medical terms and uses extremely poor grammar), and has been in conflicts with nearly every nurse on the unit.

This nurse came to me last week and said that the manager wants to send her to charge class and she wants ME to orient her! I feel that this is a disaster waiting to happen, especially if she is put in charge when there are nurses who are equally as inexperienced as she. It would be like the blind leading the blind.

Even though I am now in the float pool and have no obligation to orient her, I was on that unit for seven years and have a very close relationship with the manager, and we still help each other out professionally. I want to go to her and say, "What in the world are you thinking!" But, on the other hand, I don't want to alienate her or make her think I'm not a team player.

Advice, comments?

Patients come first. If this woman being in charge would put patients at risk (by causing the unit teamwork to fracture, causing risk through her lack of professionalism, etc), then I say give your friend the headsup and warn her not to do it.

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Specializes in ICU (M/S, cardiac, neuro, cardiac/open h.

Someone can't lead if they cant follow. The Unit Manager needs to be aware of how you feel about this nurse as he/she may not be aware of the problems you and others see. People who have conflicts are not manager or charge nurse material either.

I definitely would not like to orient this nurse esp. with the way you feel about her. Most important the patients safety comes first.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

This is such a cruddy situation and yet one I have encountered at more than one workplace. I also think you should decline this assignment and be honest with the nurse manager but I find it very hard to believe that they don't already know. :down:

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
....I find it very hard to believe that they don't already know. :down:

Me too. She must be somebody's friend!!!:uhoh3:

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

They know she is a problem-they are counting on you to fix her! For free,too I bet..Maybe you CAN do it....

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Specializes in onc, M/S, hospice, nursing informatics.

Thanks for all the responses.

- No, she can't be fixed. Not trying to be mean, but she's just not the type of person who will ever be charge capable.

- Yes, the manager is aware of the problems she has.

- No, she doesn't have friends in high places!

I'll keep you posted! I'm going to try to catch the manager soon!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
They know she is a problem-they are counting on you to fix her! For free,too I bet..Maybe you CAN do it....

This is very true and frankly makes me weary. I'm all for helping a new team member but I am not in any way interested in teaching a RN how to give their first IM injection...don't laugh it has happened. :rolleyes:

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