Handling delegation

I know that most of you have had to deal with co-workers who are not as "on task" as you expect them to be. When I am at work, I WORK. I don't dilly dally, I don't spend 20 minutes talking to my friends in the hall and I don't drag my feet close to quitting time. I have to delegate tasks to some of my co-workers because we work as a team in the OR. There are certain duties that are expected of each member of the team.

In the essence of expediency and efficiency, I tend to work quickly, being mindful that x must be done prior to y being accomplished. I get my tasks done early so that I may help my teammates and thus decrease turn over times between cases. I am ribbed a lot by my peers, "Uh oh, here comes Canes. She is walking fast. Everyone get to work!" They are joking, and that's cool with me. BUT...they are not taking advantage of the extra time that I worked so hard for us to be ahead of the game. They are taking breaks in the lounge, talking to friends, goofing off...you name it. I have tried to not let this get to me, but when my scrub tech scrubs in without getting all of the requisite supplies, I am having to work harder because they did not prepare appropriately. I have spoken to the techs that have not prepared (one on one and privately) and it has made me less than popular. It irks me juuuuust a little that they are taking offense to my asking them to do their duties in a timely and efficient manner.

I have brought this to the attention of my NM. She sees it daily. I don't know if she speaks to the team members or not, but I have seen no change in behaviors. I have a hard time being tough with my peers, however I have no problem being assertive when I need to (like patient advocacy, correct technique, a screaming surgeon). I feel that it is not my place to "crack the whip" so to speak when my peers are slacking off.

Here is what I need from you guys: Should I read some books about being more assertive with peers? Should I try to find out why I am so hesitant to call someone out on being slack? As I said, I have spoken to my NM without result. I feel like I am knocking myself out doing 3 jobs at once so that the surgical schedule can stay on time. I am beginning to feel some resentment, and I know that I need to deal with that feeling NOW so that I can grow and learn. So tell me what you have done in a similar situation. I appreciate your feedback.
Sounds like you're going overboard. I wouldn't like to work with someone like you. Are you a supervisor?Is it your responsibility to get the cases done on time? You can only control what you do not what others do. You'll look a lot better in everyone's eyes if you stop worrying about what others are not doing.Concentrate only on what is your responsibility. As far as your techs not being ready its a game and your not playing well. They know that you'll scramble to get what they should have had already. Next time play it cool.I'll get what you need,Say I thought so and so had that already for you. And take your time getting it. The tech is the one who will look bad,they should be ready. Again its a game that you're not playing well.

She's right Canes, seriously. Get some xanax first, 'cause I know you will need it if you are going to survive letting the chips fall where ever they may. Let the holes in continuity/schedule open wide while you calmly say, "hmmmmmmmm, I wonder whose duty that was supposed to be?"

Another thing always ask your tech before the start of the case,do you have everything you need? Then baring anything unforeseen,you will both know who's fault it is when they are not ready. If there is time,have that person break scrub to get what they forgot,they'll get tired of the game quickly.

I've had some wise people in the health care field tell me that anyone who has a problem with someone who is "over-efficient" or "on-the-ball" is jealous. Like you, I pride myself in busting my butt too. On a lot of days, I have my 9 am meds passed on four patients, as well as all my documentation done by 9am--and we have 4 VERY sick cardiac step-down patients on a "good day." I get "kidded" all the time. But if my work ethic makes someone else look bad, tough you-know-what. The difference is, I don't worry about anybody else. I know the situation is different in the OR, but I say do your job--and your job only. Long as the patient is safe and cases get done, let the others mess around and hang themselves on their own rope. Don't cover for anybody but yourself.

Quote from Susan317Sounds like you're going overboard. I wouldn't like to work with someone like you. Are you a supervisor?Is it your responsibility to get the cases done on time? You can only control what you do not what others do. You'll look a lot better in everyone's eyes if you stop worrying about what others are not doing.Concentrate only on what is your responsibility. As far as your techs not being ready its a game and your not playing well. They know that you'll scramble to get what they should have had already. Next time play it cool.I'll get what you need,Say I thought so and so had that already for you. And take your time getting it. The tech is the one who will look bad,they should be ready. Again its a game that you're not playing well.

Quote from onacleardayShe's right Canes, seriously. Get some xanax first, 'cause I know you will need it if you are going to survive letting the chips fall where ever they may. Let the holes in continuity/schedule open wide while you calmly say, "hmmmmmmmm, I wonder whose duty that was supposed to be?"

Quote from Susan317Sounds like you're going overboard. I wouldn't like to work with someone like you. Are you a supervisor?Is it your responsibility to get the cases done on time? You can only control what you do not what others do. You'll look a lot better in everyone's eyes if you stop worrying about what others are not doing.Concentrate only on what is your responsibility. As far as your techs not being ready its a game and your not playing well. They know that you'll scramble to get what they should have had already. Next time play it cool.I'll get what you need,Say I thought so and so had that already for you. And take your time getting it. The tech is the one who will look bad,they should be ready. Again its a game that you're not playing well.

Canesdukegirl,I see myself in your comments. First, kudos on being efficient and not a slacker. Secondly, hard to change self much less anyone else although, Peitite had some good tips. Third, I think you have the qualities of a good nursing instructor or nursing entreprenuer/self employeed or contract work. Think about your future plans and whether you do better working in a different environment where you don't so heavily rely on others to meet your goals. For instance, many years ago I made a great home health infusion nurse for those same reasons and loved that time in my life as my organization and skills led me to have lots of free time to visit my children for lunch at school and many other times which I would not have been able to do on a full time job. I made the same money and took excellent care of my patients and had time for me. Those skills led me to where I am. Hey and no to the Xanax. LOL

Quote from Susan317Sounds like you're going overboard. I wouldn't like to work with someone like you. Are you a supervisor?Is it your responsibility to get the cases done on time? You can only control what you do not what others do. You'll look a lot better in everyone's eyes if you stop worrying about what others are not doing.Concentrate only on what is your responsibility. As far as your techs not being ready its a game and your not playing well. They know that you'll scramble to get what they should have had already. Next time play it cool.I'll get what you need,Say I thought so and so had that already for you. And take your time getting it. The tech is the one who will look bad,they should be ready. Again its a game that you're not playing well.

Quote from canesdukegirlBTW, I admit that I SUCK at game playing. When I am at work, I see an objective and a goal. I go from point A to point B. I just want to get the job done. Believe it or not, I am a laid back person in general. But I feel that when I am at work, I need to WORK. I have trouble separating the two.

Here's some food for thought; which, upon it's face may seem to having nothing to do with the nature of this post, but I think it is relevant;I work in the ICU. I have patient's on cardiac monitors, vented and have 13 different drips going, a CRRT case running, and I'm juggling orders and putting out fires.I have no one to delegate to. I am my own one man band. I have no one watching the telemetry monitor for me while I'm tied up in a patient's room. I have to canvass the other RN's for help to turn a patient. I have to make up my own drips after pharmacy closes up shop for the afternoon. If you can imagine yourself without someone to delegate to for even half the stuff that they are supposed to be doing, and imagine yourself doing it all by yourself, I think it may change your perspective.

I read this once and try to remember it, "Imagine what could get done in the world if no one kept track of who got the credit." I just want to get it done so the patient is up and out as fast as possible. Yes, I get frustrated, and sometimes leave a task undone just to see how long it takes for someone else to come along and do it. (Dishes piled in the sink, new charts not made up) I think over the long haul you stand out if you just put your head down and work, and you'll get less resentment/rebellion too.