Why would I NOT help? I'm confused.

[AngelfireRN]

OK, so I am seeing a consult in the unit, sitting at the desk, writing progress notes, and one of the nurses starts yelling for help. I went over to see what she needed and saw that she was trying to clean up a rather large, very obtunded lady, and the nurse who was supposed to have been helping her was not there. So, without really thinking anything much about it, I grabbed some isolation gear and started suiting up. The nurse looked out and saw me and said, "Oh, no, Angelfire, I'm wiping poop, you don't want to do that. RN2 was supposed to be here, they'll get her".

I looked at her and before I could police my mouth (big surprise, I know) I blurted out "You know, I was a NURSE before I was a Nurse Prac." She looked back at me, kinda relieved like, and said "Are you SURE you don't mind?".

We got her washed, dried, slicked up with Calmoseptine, and turned. The other nurse never did show up. They were so slammed this morning.

Afterward, I went back to the desk, finished my progress note (which had no spontaneously combusted or walked off like that poor lady thought it might), and dictated. I bet she thanked me 10 times before I left.

You know, I'm confused......I thought I was SUPPOSED to help out. No, the lady we changed was not on my rounds list, and yes, I was doing things and had plenty of other things to do, to be sure, but I would never not help a fellow nurse that needed it, just because I have a different role now. It took 15 minutes, my consults were not critical, no one was dying, and she needed HELP! The way she reacted just kinda stunned me, I guess. I remember my days as a floor nurse, and having RT or PT or some other faction come out of a room and announce "They're ready to be cleaned up." and walk off. Always steamed my clams.

So, docs, NPs, nurses, weigh in here, please. Was I out of line? I mean, if I'm not really supposed to help, I'd like to know, and I'd like to know WHY. I thought (and everyone says) that I was a very friendly, outgoing person, and I have never given the impression that I don't want to help or think that I am too good to do certain tasks. I don't know, maybe no NP or doc had ever offered to help her before.

Do the docs and NPs help out at your facility? What is the reaction? What is the expectation? Thanks in advance.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

LOL - docs helping? Not here! Come to think of it I haven't witnessed any NNPs helping either...

[Bonnie Nurse]

Bravo for you! You are one of the few who get it. I work in an ICU and the nurses do everything. We always have to rely on fellow nurses, and frankly, they're all busy sometimes. All ICU's should have nursing assistants who can help turn and clean up patients who have multiple lines. Our hospitals today think they are saving money by not hiring nursing assistants, and/or paying them poorly. That's the equivalent of stepping over dollars to pick up pennies.

[sunnycalifRN]

I don't know, maybe no NP or doc had ever offered to help her before.

Do the docs and NPs help out at your facility? What is the reaction? What is the expectation? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for jumping in and lending a hand!! Unfortunately, my experience is that you're the exception, not the rule. Most of the NP's at my facility would have continued their note!!

Sometimes, when we have a "pump head" s/p CABG patient trying to pull out his chest tube, then most everyone will help out, even the CT surgeons!!

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I got huge thanks from everyone - aides in particular - in my LTC when I first started because I answer bells and help with patient care. A lot of the RNs don't. We have one kid (and I do mean kid) who came directly from a BSN program and was very well indoctrinated with the current nonsense about what "real" nursing is and it doesn't seem to have anything to do with hands-on care. She's a sweet girl and a good nurse but she really does have the 'tude.

Thank you.