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Discussion

Who to turn to????

Need advice and NOW! I am a new PCT and I am struggling with some things. Not things...people. People as in a specific tech and a nurse. Today I had a high bp on a pt who came in with chest pain and a history of high pulse, I tried to call my nurse more than once and she was not on Vocera ( never is until like noon but that's another story).

I charted it and went on to the next room. I totally forgot about it!!! 3 hours later I come back from lunch to find that the patient had to be taken downstairs by the above nurse and another tech. The tech proceeds to scold me for not knowing the right normal BP's and for not letting my nurse know! . I told her I would speak with the nurse since I felt it was not her place to be scolding me.

The nurse said she had no idea his BP had gotten high. Now..... I should have made sure I told her and I take ownership of that. However...............clearly she never bothered to check the vitals and she took ownership of that. Later in the day a new pt was coming up and somehow that room was not assigned to me or the above tech that scolded me ( this is what she does every day we work together).

The 2 of them decided it would not be fair for the other tech to take the pt since she was split on 2 halls. As a new pct I am always split on 2, sometimes 3 halls. I was fine with taking the pt but not the reasoning behind it.

Lastly..another pt came up and I was never told yet somehow the pt was assigned to me. The above nurse questioned why I did not know if a tray was delivered. I told her I had not been in that room since I was not assigned the pt. She said the pt got there 2 hours ago and I should have known. How was I suppose to know that when IT WAS NOT MY ASSIGNMENT??? There seems to be a lack of communication and I am not sure if I should talk to a charge, my floor manager, or even talk to anyone at all.

The tech and I just never hit it off. She is always scolding me and telling me what to do based on what she deems appropriate. I don't feel this is right. I am just trying to figure out what to do, if anything. I love this job and want to be successful!

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    • Featured Replies

    when i can't find the nurse for a patient with something weird going on, i go to the charge nurse and tell her, and i tell her why i am telling her. but, i'll look for the nurse on the floor before that, try to find her instead of calling her (or whatever this vocera thing you speak of is).

    and the assignment thing, you'll get used to checking up with the desk to see pt's that are coming and going. someone should tell you that you are getting a pt, but i've been surprised before, too. just let it go, you did what you could do, and really. sometimes you just have to know that you are doing the best you could do in a situation and let other people's opinions wash off your back.

    eventually, you'll get used to the floor, the people, you'll have ones you love working with, ones your don't like working with that much, and you'll be way more comfortable finding nurses, asking questions, knowing the abnormals and normals. just stick with it!

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    **** happens, personalities don't always get along. That is normal. Be a professional.

    First, on patient care, if you get an abnormal/critical value or finding, you need to notify the nurse. If she is too busy sucking coffee and planning the next vacation, take it to the charge nurse. You keep going up the chain till you find somebody that will respond.

    On the communication issue, every place has it to a greater or lesser degree. If they don't tell you about new admits or transfers, that is on them and not you. Just don't be the one that drops the ball and fails to pass on information.

    If you have a problem with a few people, they are not the only ones there. Develope a good working relationship with the other people and you may find out they have problems with these people as well.

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    • Author

    Thanks so much! I guess for me the hardest thing is always questioning myself and feeling insecure. I know with experience I will get better. I felt so bad about the whole day and I know it was one that has To be tossed aside. Lessons learned but I can't let it bring me down. I am sort of shy but know it is important to build good work relationships. And no.... Personalities will not always match. We are professionals and we want what is best for our patients. I appreciate your input :)

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    • Guides

    Next time you cannot get ahold of the nurse via vocera-- and it's something very important-- track that nurse down and find her in person.

    If you cannot find her, go to the next level and tell them what's up and that you can't find your nurse.

    Once you pass that info onto a nurse, then it's on them to take care of the situation as they see fit.

    Until you pass it on, you own it.

    At least this nurse took partial ownership.

    That's a good thing, because some nurses wouldn't even do that.

    As for the scolding CNA...

    Listen to the message, not necessarily the delivery.

    She may have some valid points as to how you can improve, but she just presents them poorly.

    Take care!

    You sound like you are really trying to do your best.

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