Why am I asked to fix things that are NOT my job?

Nurses General Nursing

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I work agency in nursing homes. Here is a small list of things I've been asked to fix as an LPN

1.) Microwave not working

2.) Toilet clogged

3.) TV not working

4.) Recliner chair not working

5.) Lightbulb out

6.)Internet not working

7.) Help me find a channel on the TV

8.)Remote control not working

9.) Replacing batteries on non medical things (like the remote control)

Is this my job as the nurse to fix these issues? What is the correct way to deal with requests like this?

Specializes in retired LTC.

Nunya - TY. A clear view of a typical NH unit.

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I have often said that the job of nursing comes with many hat's, as - most often - we must be skilled in a little bit of everything for our job to run smoothly... after all, aren't we as nurses often the definition of problem-solver extraordinaire?  

I will definitely admit that I've fixed a number of odd issues over the years that weren't *technically* a part of my actual job (and, of course, an incalculable number which absolutely were).

My logic goes something like this: If not fixing it will end up becoming more of an inconvenience than fixing it, then it's certainly worth giving it a shot.

If the TV isn't working and it means the person (who now has little to no distraction) will be calling every five minutes about their pain... or setting off their bed alarm every time I sit down... or pulling out every single tube... well, I would say it is worth investigating.  If the "remote" isn't working (seeing how I'm in a hospital setting), then it falls into the part of my job category (as it also contains the call light... and, technically, I can't leave patients without the ability to reach me... though there are definitely times when I would really like to ?)

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Specializes in retired LTC.

ladedah1 - I feel so badly! You reminded me when I was in the hosp about 2 yrs ago. The call bell/TV remote was one unit. Oh, so many times that I pushed the nsg call bell by mistake. I usually realized it just as soon as I did it, but oh, I was truly soooo sick. I never meant to inconvenience the nsg staff. The nsg button was exactly right where your thumb would rest when holding the unit. DUMB design!

If I could have reversed it myself, it would have made things better. But I know that I so frustrated the staff. I couldn't apologize enough ...

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23 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

ladedah1 - I feel so badly! You reminded me when I was in the hosp about 2 yrs ago. The call bell/TV remote was one unit. Oh, so many times that I pushed the nsg call bell by mistake. I usually realized it just as soon as I did it, but oh, I was truly soooo sick. I never meant to inconvenience the nsg staff. The nsg button was exactly right where your thumb would rest when holding the unit. DUMB design!

If I could have reversed it myself, it would have made things better. But I know that I so frustrated the staff. I couldn't apologize enough

Those are my favorite call lights to answer...

Call bell goes off...

Crap.  I was just in there... 

"Oops!  Sorry!  I hit the wrong button!" 

Followed by the joyful feeling of relief to avoid whatever task I imagined, which - technically - didn't actually exist to begin with ?

 

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Specializes in retired LTC.

YOU are the exception. I felt sooo bad because I know I had made them have to come into my room for NOTHING. I didn't want to be that PIA pt.

But I was so sick...

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
On 4/17/2021 at 7:39 PM, TriciaJ said:

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."

Our current crop of pharmacists have finally got it in their head that they are licensed to call doctors and take orders for medications without the nurse as a go between.  Big pet peeve of mine.

Another one is that because I'm the charge nurse everyone comes to me with everything.

Nurse:  the toilet in room 75 is clogged (then proceeds to act like it's my problem to fix).

Me:  Pick up the phone and ask the operator for the maintenance department and tell them.   (and I am not the plumber)

on and on it's annoying.  LOL

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
1 hour ago, Tweety said:

Our current crop of pharmacists have finally got it in their head that they are licensed to call doctors and take orders for medications without the nurse as a go between.  Big pet peeve of mine.

Another one is that because I'm the charge nurse everyone comes to me with everything.

Nurse:  the toilet in room 75 is clogged (then proceeds to act like it's my problem to fix).

Me:  Pick up the phone and ask the operator for the maintenance department and tell them.   (and I am not the plumber)

on and on it's annoying.  LOL

I wish our pharmacists would just call the providers themselves.  So many times the pharmacy will contact me and state they don’t have a certain medication and ask me to contact the provider for a different recommendation.  The provider, in turn, asks me what the pharmacist’s recommendation was.  There’s actually been one medication we’ve been unable to get for a patient because neither the provider nor the pharmacy has any idea what it is. 
 

As for other miscellaneous tasks, I am also the go-to person as a unit manager. Sometimes people seem to forget that they, too, are capable of using the phone to call maintenance or pharmacy or going to look for supplies in the storage room

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 4/20/2021 at 8:27 AM, Davey Do said:

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I had that book!  Have no idea what became of it.  I suspect one day I'll find it in a box of books.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
3 hours ago, amoLucia said:

ladedah1 - I feel so badly! You reminded me when I was in the hosp about 2 yrs ago. The call bell/TV remote was one unit. Oh, so many times that I pushed the nsg call bell by mistake. I usually realized it just as soon as I did it, but oh, I was truly soooo sick. I never meant to inconvenience the nsg staff. The nsg button was exactly right where your thumb would rest when holding the unit. DUMB design!

If I could have reversed it myself, it would have made things better. But I know that I so frustrated the staff. I couldn't apologize enough ...

If that's how the thing was designed, then you weren't the only one fat-thumbing it.  I suspect the staff was used to it.  A false alarm is way better than one you actually have to respond to so they were likely relieved when you didn't need anything after all.  At least that's how it always was for me.

 

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.
23 hours ago, ladedah1 said:

Those are my favorite call lights to answer...

Call bell goes off...

Crap.  I was just in there... 

"Oops!  Sorry!  I hit the wrong button!" 

Followed by the joyful feeling of relief to avoid whatever task I imagined, which - technically - didn't actually exist to begin with ?

 

Snow Day!

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Specializes in NICU.

Maybe if you are really handy you could be a lifesaver sometimes by finding why that chair won't recline or the thermometer needs batteries,but it is not your job and if you help out it is because you have free time,enjoy problem solving and on your terms.Someone might take vitals for you if you help get the computer running but toilet unclogging is NOT ever in your job description or good will.Look at what insurance the hospital has if you get hurt or sick doing something out of your scope of practice.

Many times I refilled soap dispensers, or emptied garbage because it was overflowing ,falling onto the floor and the housekeeping dept was on an emergency call.If there is a union then they should come handle the problem,some might blame you as taking their job away.

don't know what else to tell you.....

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

In LTC I had to plunge toilets, fix electric bed problems and exterminate ants. There was no such thing as maintenance or housekeeping after 1700 or on weekends. No, it wasn’t my job to fetch napkins or watch residents’ great-grandchildren as they ran up and down the halls or cater parties, but I did it and more. I do agree that non-nursing tasks need to be done by the departments responsible for them, but I think we all know it’s not gonna happen because administrators and CEOs have figured out how to accomplish more with fewer staff and resources. 

And it’s so much worse than it used to be. I’m on here every day and I see what y’all are going through, and I can’t even imagine how you’re doing it without losing your  minds. I’ve been out of nursing for seven years and I salute every single one of you for hanging in there. It’s not a career for the faint of heart, that’s for sure!

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