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

[LPNwithBIGdreams]

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?

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Let me guess, you work nights? After hours the nursing staff becomes the plumber, electrician, copy repair person, general handyman... if it can wait until morning, or Monday since things always seem to break on the weekend let it wait if you truly don't have time to at least try to fix it.  For small stuff like changing batteries or plunging a toilet just fix it. 

[amoLucia]

5 hours ago, kbrn2002 said:

Let me guess, you work nights? After hours the nursing staff becomes the plumber, electrician, copy repair person, general handyman... if it can wait until morning, or Monday since things always seem to break on the weekend let it wait if you truly don't have time to at least try to fix it.  For small stuff like changing batteries or plunging a toilet just fix it. 

Yeah, if you have access to a janitor's closet for a plunger. Or if there's batteries avail in the battery drawer (not empty). Same for avail light bulbs.

Just to say, I'd hate to be the one who jiggled the pantry toaster to make it OK, but then I come in the next night to find out there was a small elec fire. (Happened for real once where I worked.)

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

On 4/15/2021 at 10:39 PM, LPNwithBIGdreams said:

I should clarify it is the residents/patients asking this of me, the LPN. What should I say to them? They don't want to wait for the maintenance man ?

I’ll admit I’ve tended to the clogged toilet. Selfish on my part though, I was trying to avoid a real s**t show in the event they continued to try using it prior to it getting serviced. Occasional quick fixes I would tend to do, but if it was a list that occurred daily, management is going to have to figure out who handles what so I can tend to patient care in a timely manner. The remote, I can’t figure out my own so their on their own with that one- I’d do it if I could but it would probably make things worse if I tried.