What to do about tech refusing to get VS?

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I have a tech at work who I'll call Sarah. She is a really good tech. The problem is that she has an attitude with me. I have reported her at least twice and nothing ever gets done. It goes like this:

I always get my own admission VS, post-op, post cath, and blood VS. I very rarely ask a tech to do anything for me. They know what they are supposed to do and they do it. Yesterday I had a new patient that the physician had sent up from his office, he wasn't even allowed to stop at admitting, dx: viral meningitis. He was 80 years old and I was told that his temp was 103 and that I was to immediately start an IV, order labs, give IV Phenergan, get VS, etc, etc..... At the same time I had another admit come up from the ER. I asked Sarah to get the vital signs on the first patient while I was starting the IV. She brought the dinemapp in the room and said "since you're in here you can get them" I said no Sarah get the VS, she said " do you want me to show you how to operate the equipment, is that the problem?" and she promptly left the room. I was not only furious but embarassed in front of the patients family. I told my assistant nurse manager and she didn't say much.

This is the 3rd such similar incident with this CNT in about 3 months time. I have spoken to her directly also with no results. Any suggestions? What I'm thinking about is asking for a confrontation in the nurse managers office.

I would like to tell her that I think she does a good job but do not appreciate her reluctance to do something that I ask her to do because I only ask when it's really needed. I would like to tell her that she needs a refresher on what her job description entails. Should I mention that I am her superior, well that's not the word I want to use but you know, I'm over her, in charge......?

I want to tell her that if she wants to give the orders that she should go to school and get her nursing license. Thanks for any advice you can offer. We both work tomorrow and I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

#1,, make sure you put any complaints to the nurse manager in writing, and keep a copy for yourself, date and time all material.

#2,, after written complaints dont work, DO ask for a meeting between you the tech and the nurse manager.

#3,, if it continues, ask for another meeting with you the tech and the NM with the clinical director present.

There is a reason this tech thinks they dont have to do what they are asked outside of the job description that is on paper for the facility, find out why and make sure the NM points out that you are ultimately in charge of what duties she does if she is on your team or working with you as charge.

She needs to be shown the door,, a GOOD tech does what is asked of them,, a mediocre tech does only what is in writing and then usually takes advantage to scrimp on those duties.

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dutchgirl...i feel your frustrations ...seems like me and you have had the same cna..and i bet there are a few nurses who she would never say that remark to..don't wait any longer, just write her up. Put it in writing word for word and make sure that you mention the patient and family hearing this. This is bull !! You can forget the part about being above her in giving orders ect...this kind of person has already shown to you your license means squat..But you know what they say...what goes around comes around. The aide that used to mouth off to me, she had finished nursing school soon after, and the hospital was all excited about adding a registered nurse to the staff and guess what??? The rotten trouble maker failed her test :rotfl:

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Take her out to the parking lot and beat the snot out of her.

Just kidding. *evil grin

Definatly ask for a confrontation in front of the nurse manager. You have to work together so the request isn't absurd. And this way if you suddenly get the urge to "take her out"......someone is there to stop you!

:rotfl:

Could someone tell me what the role of a tech is? Not clear and could be a different term up here.

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I think she means certified nursing tech?? (CNT)..I took it as a aide...why can't they come up for one name already...lol...I like your parking lot idea, maybe take her down to where the lights are burned out..lol..

Take her out to the parking lot and beat the snot out of her.

Just kidding. *evil grin

Definatly ask for a confrontation in front of the nurse manager. You have to work together so the request isn't absurd. And this way if you suddenly get the urge to "take her out"......someone is there to stop you!

:rotfl:

Could someone tell me what the role of a tech is? Not clear and could be a different term up here.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
Take her out to the parking lot and beat the snot out of her.

Thanks everyone I am on my way to work. I have written her up twice for the same thing. Nothing seems to get done about it and that is why I am asking for the face to face. I don't mind doing it in the med room or wherever I just think so there's no doubt about what's said it would be better to ask for it in front of the nurse manager. I'll let you know tonight what happens.

P.S. I like the parking lot idea :rotfl: Problem is she's "bigger" than me and would probably win ! Her husband is a nursing student so he thinks he knows everything. He tried to tell me that Tordol was a beta-blocker. Argued and argued, he called it Tordol XL. I said you're talking about Toprol-XL and no it's not a beta-blocker its an ace inhibitor but it is for BP. He kept on, really man I don't have time for this. Talk to me again about a year after you graduate and pass NCLEX. Maybe he'll do us all a favor and fail, he,he! :)

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He tried to tell me that Tordol was a beta-blocker. Argued and argued, he called it Tordol XL. I said you're talking about Toprol-XL and no it's not a beta-blocker its an ace inhibitor but it is for BP. He kept on, really man I don't have time for this. Talk to me again about a year after you graduate and pass NCLEX. Maybe he'll do us all a favor and fail, he,he! :)

Toprol XL is a beta blocker....Is a extended release one.....Its the same as metaprolol or lopressor.........So he is right and you are wrong in this situation.......Remember, all beta blockers end in olol, and ace inhibitors end in pril...........

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Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.

I think the OP meant "Toradol"...a pain reliever. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Scary how some of these drugs sound so familiar or the spelling is so familiar at times, isn't it?

Toprol XL is a beta blocker....Is a extended release one.....Its the same as metaprolol or lopressor.........So he is right and you are wrong in this situation.......Remember, all beta blockers end in olol, and ace inhibitors end in pril...........
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Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.

I think the OP meant "Toradol"...a pain reliever. Correct me if I'm wrong, Dutchgirl :)

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Specializes in ICU, step down, dialysis.

Oops, sorry for the double post. First time I've ever tried to edit a post of mine, lol

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

He was saying the Tordol (the pain medication) was a blood pressure pill called Tordol XL. I know Toprol XL is for BP. My point was he had it wrong and kept arguing. Anyway that's neither nor there.

I talked to my nurse manager today about "Sarah". She said I could confront her in the office if I wanted to but that she was on her list to talk to next week for the very same thing. Apparently she is snippy with other nurses, also she had been reported for telling patients that she is a nurse and also for saying inappropriate things in front of patients and for giving inappropriate medical advice to patients. Well I know how it goes and things dont' change. She agreed that if "Sarah" refuses again to do something that I ask her to do that I could confront her in the office. That's how it all went down.

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Specializes in PACU.

i dont want to sound one-sided here but, why couldnt you get the signs if you were there????. i work as an aide on an ortho floor and i know how busy the nurses can get. Ultimately, at my facility it is the nurses responsibility to make sure the vitals are taken, because you need this information to move along with care. it really bothers me not jus as an aide but as a person who wants respect and to not be taken advantage of when something like this happens, me personally i would have got the signs especially if i brought the dinamp in the room. im not saying that anyone was right or wrong, i just wanted o add my opinion.

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