Work Ethics (Warning Rant Included)

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Does other's people's work ethics bother you. Lately I've found myself getting infuriated at my coworkers. For instance, one nurse called in "tired", "I've been running around all day, I'm going to take a nap and come in about four hours late". The same nurse had her assignment switched from one day to the next with good reason, and decided to leave the unit short staffed and went home because she didn't like her assignment. (It's very very hard to get fired these days, must be counseled and written up a hundred times).

Another nurse has a low priority for antibiodics and meds. She just leave the meds at the bedside uninfused. Plus she lies. I despise lying.

Another CNA saw she was floating. While I was counting narcs she called the staffing office with a sudden onset of illness and went home.

I give 110% and more, and work like a fool getting my job done, while providing leadership and patient care, and only call in sick when sick (which has been over a year ago). These people can't even muster up 10%.

I hope I'm not sounding "holier nurse than thou".

What bothers me, is the guy I'm precepting is choosing loosers for role models and has said things like "well, no one else charts that way, why should I" "when I get off orientation I'm not doing all that work".

I should just live and let live, concentrate on myself and my work and not worry about others. The overwhelming majority of nurses I work with kick butt and work hard. But I'm get so seething angry sometimes at this dead weight.

Thanks for letting me vent.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Does other's people's work ethics bother you. Lately I've found myself getting infuriated at my coworkers. For instance, one nurse called in "tired", "I've been running around all day, I'm going to take a nap and come in about four hours late". The same nurse had her assignment switched from one day to the next with good reason, and decided to leave the unit short staffed and went home because she didn't like her assignment. (It's very very hard to get fired these days, must be counseled and written up a hundred times).

Another nurse has a low priority for antibiodics and meds. She just leave the meds at the bedside uninfused. Plus she lies. I despise lying.

Another CNA saw she was floating. While I was counting narcs she called the staffing office with a sudden onset of illness and went home.

I give 110% and more, and work like a fool getting my job done, while providing leadership and patient care, and only call in sick when sick (which has been over a year ago). These people can't even muster up 10%.

I hope I'm not sounding "holier nurse than thou".

What bothers me, is the guy I'm precepting is choosing loosers for role models and has said things like "well, no one else charts that way, why should I" "when I get off orientation I'm not doing all that work".

I should just live and let live, concentrate on myself and my work and not worry about others. The overwhelming majority of nurses I work with kick butt and work hard. But I'm get so seething angry sometimes at this dead weight.

Thanks for letting me vent.

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thirdshiftguy,,,, First nice to meet you~~~

I am dealing with the same problems on a day to day basis,,, & it is driving me crazy,,, As DON of an assisted living facility,, I try to keep my direct care staff working at 90,,, to 100% I give 110 / 150% myself,,,,

The other departments,,, and some of my employees feel giving 25% (and that is on a good day) is acceptable,,, it isn't~~~~

I have racked my brains,,, to fix this problem,,, I haven't had luck so far,,,, lead by example,,, huh,,, they just sit and let you do the work,,,,

The biggest problem I face,, is I really can't relate to the work ethic,,, I never had a job I didn't give at least 100% to,,, take pride in my work,,, and I just don't understand anyone doing less,, especially in our field,,,,

I am at my wit's end,,,, write them up?,,, they will walk out,,, the next person worse,,, is known problems better than unknown????

If I hear one more time,,, 'that's not my job',,, or 'I am not dealing with that _____ anymore",,,,, My god ppl,, they are all here for a reason,,, they need our help,,,, that is why we have a job!

I have about 7 employees,,, CNA'S,,, Nurses,,, I would love to clone,,,, My job would be so much easier,,,, they too have voiced to me,,, how difficult it is to carry out thier duties,,, around the other employees,,,,,, How do I keep the good ones motivated,,,

Another problem I face is,,,the home office,, will and has kept long term,,, staff who's performance leaves a lot to be desired,, when someone see's that,,,, again,, where is the motivation to do your best,,,,,,,

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to vent to,,,, Don't have the answers,,, but have the problem,,,,

If someone has suggestions,,, please,,, I am willing to take any advice!!

~kitamoon

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thirdshiftguy,,,, First nice to meet you~~~

I am dealing with the same problems on a day to day basis,,, & it is driving me crazy,,, As DON of an assisted living facility,, I try to keep my direct care staff working at 90,,, to 100% I give 110 / 150% myself,,,,

The other departments,,, and some of my employees feel giving 25% (and that is on a good day) is acceptable,,, it isn't~~~~

I have racked my brains,,, to fix this problem,,, I haven't had luck so far,,,, lead by example,,, huh,,, they just sit and let you do the work,,,,

The biggest problem I face,, is I really can't relate to the work ethic,,, I never had a job I didn't give at least 100% to,,, take pride in my work,,, and I just don't understand anyone doing less,, especially in our field,,,,

I am at my wit's end,,,, write them up?,,, they will walk out,,, the next person worse,,, is known problems better than unknown????

If I hear one more time,,, 'that's not my job',,, or 'I am not dealing with that _____ anymore",,,,, My god ppl,, they are all here for a reason,,, they need our help,,,, that is why we have a job!

I have about 7 employees,,, CNA'S,,, Nurses,,, I would love to clone,,,, My job would be so much easier,,,, they too have voiced to me,,, how difficult it is to carry out thier duties,,, around the other employees,,,,,, How do I keep the good ones motivated,,,

Another problem I face is,,,the home office,, will and has kept long term,,, staff who's performance leaves a lot to be desired,, when someone see's that,,,, again,, where is the motivation to do your best,,,,,,,

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to vent to,,,, Don't have the answers,,, but have the problem,,,,

If someone has suggestions,,, please,,, I am willing to take any advice!!

~kitamoon

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

These are all management problems.

There are many, many books out on leadership skills and managing people, on accountability, motivation, etc. There is even a "Managing for Dummies," if you are looking for a place to start. Many community colleges, universities, and some private companies offer management training courses, etc.

The key is the component singularly lacking in all of the the many nursing environments I have experienced--LEADERSHIP. (Which also happens to be the name of Rudy Giuliani's now book.)

Poorly run facilities promote their people to supervisory positions without providing adequate or suitable leadership or management training. One who accepts this kind of position therefore needs to obtain the training on his/her own, and if this is not done, will only experience increasing frustration and/or burnout, and will in the process pick up a well-deserved reputation for being a b*tch.

On the other hand, after he/she does acquire more training, the overall absence of leadership and vision in the organization itself (be it at the home office or locally) become just that more obvious, so that in itself creates frustration. But at least by then some tools have been learned to better deal with it. Or to realize that it is not going to change and to deal with THAT.

IMHO

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Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

These are all management problems.

There are many, many books out on leadership skills and managing people, on accountability, motivation, etc. There is even a "Managing for Dummies," if you are looking for a place to start. Many community colleges, universities, and some private companies offer management training courses, etc.

The key is the component singularly lacking in all of the the many nursing environments I have experienced--LEADERSHIP. (Which also happens to be the name of Rudy Giuliani's now book.)

Poorly run facilities promote their people to supervisory positions without providing adequate or suitable leadership or management training. One who accepts this kind of position therefore needs to obtain the training on his/her own, and if this is not done, will only experience increasing frustration and/or burnout, and will in the process pick up a well-deserved reputation for being a b*tch.

On the other hand, after he/she does acquire more training, the overall absence of leadership and vision in the organization itself (be it at the home office or locally) become just that more obvious, so that in itself creates frustration. But at least by then some tools have been learned to better deal with it. Or to realize that it is not going to change and to deal with THAT.

IMHO

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Just out of curiosity....do you rant to the DON the way you are ranting here? You should. If I were in charge, these people would be so fired. Or else I would find another place to work.

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Just out of curiosity....do you rant to the DON the way you are ranting here? You should. If I were in charge, these people would be so fired. Or else I would find another place to work.

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The guy you're precepting needs to be reminded that he's not charting for the facility--he's charting to cover his own butt in the eyes of the State and the BON.

Many times I've gone the extra mile --not because of facility policy, but because it was a requirement of my license.

So when someone would say, "I'm not doing that," I'd respond, act nonchalant and say, "Fine; you're the one who has to answer to the Board for it, not me."

I found it easier to survive if I just did my own thing and pretty much ignored the others' work, unless I got a lot of backup from my DON===and you probably won't get that on 3rd shift, because most nursing homes revolve around day shift.

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The guy you're precepting needs to be reminded that he's not charting for the facility--he's charting to cover his own butt in the eyes of the State and the BON.

Many times I've gone the extra mile --not because of facility policy, but because it was a requirement of my license.

So when someone would say, "I'm not doing that," I'd respond, act nonchalant and say, "Fine; you're the one who has to answer to the Board for it, not me."

I found it easier to survive if I just did my own thing and pretty much ignored the others' work, unless I got a lot of backup from my DON===and you probably won't get that on 3rd shift, because most nursing homes revolve around day shift.

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BOY DOES THIS ALL SOUND TOO FAMILIAR. THE "WORKS WELL UNDER CONSTANT SUPERVISION AND WHEN CORNERED LIKE A RAT IN A TRAP WORK ETHIC." A FEW PEOPLE WITH A LOUSY WORK ETHIC ARE LIKE A PLAGUE THAT CONTAMINATES EVERYONE ELSE. WHY DO I HAVE TO DO IT IF SHE DOESN'T,I CAN CALL IN SICK WITH NO NOTICE BECAUSE I SAW SO AND SO DO IT LAST WEEK.IF PEOPLE SEE SOMEONE ELSE DOING LESS, IT MAKES THEM THINK THEY CAN DO LESS TOO.PEOPLE RISE TO THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION, JUST BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE DOESN'T MEAN STANDARDS CAN BE LET TO SLIDE, BECAUSE IT'S THE PATIENTS THAT SUFFER.MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO REALIZE THAT ALLOWING EVEN ONE OR TWO OF THESE SLACKERS TO STAY DECREASES JOB PERFORNANCE FOR EVERYONE.AND THIS FROM A STAFF PERSON.

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BOY DOES THIS ALL SOUND TOO FAMILIAR. THE "WORKS WELL UNDER CONSTANT SUPERVISION AND WHEN CORNERED LIKE A RAT IN A TRAP WORK ETHIC." A FEW PEOPLE WITH A LOUSY WORK ETHIC ARE LIKE A PLAGUE THAT CONTAMINATES EVERYONE ELSE. WHY DO I HAVE TO DO IT IF SHE DOESN'T,I CAN CALL IN SICK WITH NO NOTICE BECAUSE I SAW SO AND SO DO IT LAST WEEK.IF PEOPLE SEE SOMEONE ELSE DOING LESS, IT MAKES THEM THINK THEY CAN DO LESS TOO.PEOPLE RISE TO THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION, JUST BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE DOESN'T MEAN STANDARDS CAN BE LET TO SLIDE, BECAUSE IT'S THE PATIENTS THAT SUFFER.MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO REALIZE THAT ALLOWING EVEN ONE OR TWO OF THESE SLACKERS TO STAY DECREASES JOB PERFORNANCE FOR EVERYONE.AND THIS FROM A STAFF PERSON.

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