When should you tell your boss about a concern in the workplace

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Sep 27, 2015

Are these in the realm of a CNA on the floor? If so, it was you who was sent to do these things?

I would chart what I do (meaning the foley emptying--and remember, sometimes the documentation needs to be Q 8 hours)

Make sure the rooms are straightened out, and the trash is emptied.

If there was no CNA on the floor and the nurses are out straight, things can get less than stellar as far as trash and straightening out rooms.

Now if other CNA's were hanging around doing little to nothing, THEN I would say something, as apparently, they are not doing parts of their job that effects patient care.

Otherwise, I would assume that this is why you were asked to float to the floor, to do these things.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2015

I don't hear anything concerning enough to run to a manager about.

Mojojo25 · Sep 27, 2015

I'm not complaining of doing these tasks. I usually go above and beyond. It's just a little concerning to me when 13 patients havnt had proper charting on any cares or urine outputs. Foleys not being emptied and having greater than 2100mLs in it. I mean I've had 18 patients by myself with 2 other nurses and I was able to pass waters, do vitals, clean their rooms, stock their rooms and wash them all up. When my floor is always clean and organized it's hard to go to a floor that is not.

vulupure · Sep 27, 2015

I'm not complaining of doing these tasks. I usually go above and beyond. It's just a little concerning to me when 13 patients havnt had proper charting on any cares or urine outputs. Foleys not being emptied and having greater than 2100mLs in it. I mean I've had 18 patients by myself with 2 other nurses and I was able to pass waters, do vitals, clean their rooms, stock their rooms and wash them all up. When my floor is always clean and organized it's hard to go to a floor that is not.

To be honest Im not sure if you should go to the manager. I just wanted to say that you seem like a caring and responsible person. Your unit is lucky to have you!

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AJJKRN · Sep 27, 2015

It really could just be a difference in teamwork and/or culture on that floor compared to yours. It might be something you may want to mention in passing BUT I would wait and see if you float there a few more times and see if there's a pattern...I could have just been a snowball of things that happened (or didn't happened :geek: ) that shift. Generally, unless it would cause Pt harm, do your thing and worry about you with letting TPTB sorting issues out!

CelticGoddess, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2015

I'm not complaining of doing these tasks. I usually go above and beyond. It's just a little concerning to me when 13 patients havnt had proper charting on any cares or urine outputs. Foleys not being emptied and having greater than 2100mLs in it. I mean I've had 18 patients by myself with 2 other nurses and I was able to pass waters, do vitals, clean their rooms, stock their rooms and wash them all up. When my floor is always clean and organized it's hard to go to a floor that is not.

Eventually the charting errors are going to get caught. I know that CMS does chart audits when they come around (at my facility, we don't use TJC). Trust me, it will get caught. If not by CMS or TJC, then by the unit CUE or the compliance officer. If patient safety isn't an issue, you might do well to keep your mouth shut. If it involves actual patient safety, then by all means, go to the manager. What you have posted doesn't sound like a compromise in patient safety. Just know that you are doing your job well, and that your regular unit is neat and tidy.