OP - is it me, or do you just seem very angry re those requests?? We've all been asked useless requests at some time or other.
The most critical job might be the toilet. I have turned off the water line to prevent flooding. I don't have extra light blubs or batteries. I might whack the remote and I'll plug things in & out, but that's as far as I go. Maint is not my forte!
You are asked because you are there taking care of the patient and they are comfortable asking you, and probably noone else comes around to ask them if they need anything. And also, you probably ask them, before you leave their room, if there is anything they need. I would do what you can if you can, like other have said or just reply, that it is not your job but will put the request into maintenance or whoever. I don't really think it has anything to do with you being an LPN, I am sure the person will ask anyone who answers the call light or happens to come into the room.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Nurses are always asked to fix things that aren't their job. A regular hospital scenario:
Pharmacy: I need you to call the doctor and tell him that med is non-formulary.
Nurse: Why don't you call him so you can tell him his options?
Pharmacy: I don't have time.
As far as fixing toilets, remotes, lamps, recliners: "Oh, heavens. You don't want me touching any of that stuff. I'll put in a call to maintenance. They know what they're doing."
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
1 hour ago, Hannahbanana said:
"You have just wasted three minutes calling me. Gotta run..."
I did try that. They just flat out didn't bother to fill the order and I was the one with the patient clutching my lapels. In retrospect, I should have just filled out an incident reports for the orders that didn't get filled.
Specializes in Physiology, CM, consulting, nsg edu, LNC, COB.
15 hours ago, TriciaJ said:
16 hours ago, Hannahbanana said:
"You have just wasted three minutes calling me. Gotta run..."
I did try that. They just flat out didn't bother to fill the order and I was the one with the patient clutching my lapels. In retrospect, I should have just filled out an incident reports for the orders that didn't get filled.
Time to have the policy book updated to specify that pharmacy must contact the prescriber directly to clarify potential med conflicts and obtain new prescriptions PRN, because they are in the best position to inform the prescriber on them.
Your role is a specific, licensed educated role. While you want to fix those things, your time is limited to the professional tasks you must do to keep the residents healthy. You will contact maintainance to come....BTW if maintainance does not fix things promptly, complain to the higher ups that these problems are injurious (toilet) to your patients health and their disfatisaction with their care.
Be holistic? You've never worked LTC have you? I haven't either but my Dad was in it and the only time I saw the nurses sit down was when they were charting. One nurse on days and evenings giving meds and doing any treatments, dealing with problem patients/families etc. One nurse on days talking to doctors, doing paperwork, putting out fires etc. Two-4 aides but frequently 1-2 sitting in the lounge with patients. 40 patients. Holistic is fine if you have time but from what I saw they didn't.
2BS Nurse, BSN
703 Posts
I do NOT have XY chromosomes. I have fixed IT issues. It's either that, or wait a week for our understaffed IT dept to show up!