One nurse for three busy providers. This can't be safe, right?

Specialties Ambulatory

Published

As of today, I am temporarily the only nurse available in the clinic where I work for three providers, which altogether see over 100 pts. per day. The two Nurse Practitioners see on average about 24 each per day, and the MD sometimes sees over 50.

One nurse just lost her father yesterday and the other is out for the duration of her first trimester of pregnancy, so about another month.

I am still new and have not had to work the whole clinic by myself, but if the supervisor can't bring in a nurse from another clinic there is a possibility I will have to do so. I don't feel this is safe at all. I don't feel it is safe for the patients and definitely not for me or my license. I was thrown out on my own on day three and have been there for only five weeks.

So my question is, what would you fellow clinic nurses do? Especially being new to the clinic?

Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

I am so very happy for you!! I have followed this thread with interest. I have just made the decision to leave my job, new one lined up or not. The last straw came this week... when my doc randomly decided mid-day she wanted to leave early, but we already had pts scheduled right up to 15 mins before she wanted to leave. The 2nd to last one arrived exactly at her appt time. I got her immediately, did her v/s, wt, urine etc. The very last pt was a new one. I got her chart as soon as it was ready, but other nurse was terribly busy and her her own patient in our shared lab/restroom area. So i grabbed the new pt as soon as they were done, about 5 mins past her appt time. While she was in the restroom, my doc comes up and gripes at me "what happened? I TOLD you I wanted to leave at 3:45!" I explained her the traffic flow issue. She continued to be very huffy around me and later I was told she was up at the front office griping about me. The next day I was told I am 'not on the same page' as she is as far as running on time.... and yet she then proceeded to stay in her office an extra 10 minutes while a pt was ready and waiting in the room for her. I have one question though... she is 6 months preggo. Am I a horrible person for leaving her at this time? But truly, I can't say enough how happy I am for you LTCNS!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Oh my gosh, no, you are not a horrible person for finding a different job. Her pregnancy has nothing to do with it.

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

Thanks you two!

Oedgar, the doc's issues are her own. She only has herself to blame for losing you. A nurse can only take so much then it's time to move on. I wish you nothing but success in your future endeavors. Looking forward to the post that announces a better opportunity for you :)

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

Got the paperwork, drug screen and background check stuff out of the way today. I'm on my way :)

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Now you're excited to get into work right? Each day is one day closer to your parole lol

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.
Now you're excited to get into work right? Each day is one day closer to your parole lol

LOL!! I like that...Parole. That sums it up :)

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

So day one was extremely boring as I had to do all those courses and tests required before starting to work, then putting in patient info and orders in a practice module. So far I think I'm going to like it. The difference in the environment in my former job and the new job are literally like night and day. It is a huge clinic so it's going to take time for me to learn my way around.

Met the Physician I will be the nurse for today (her first day as well) and she is very nice. Got her preferences up front so I will know what to expect.

I foresee a long relationship with the group. They will have to haul me out kicking & screaming if they ever want to get rid of me :cheeky:

I am glad you posted. I have been thinking about you. Here's to a a much better job after two stinkos!

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.
I am glad you posted. I have been thinking about you. Here's to a a much better job after two stinkos!

The saying "we have to kiss a lot of frogs before we find our prince" seems to apply to jobs as well lol!

I know this conversation happened in June. It just caught my attention is all..."three providers to one nurse...can this be safe?"

I have fifty-two providers. And they're grown ups. And I'm very busy, but sounds like your providers need some training.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
I have fifty-two providers.

Again, I ask - all 52 providers work at the same time?

I know this conversation happened in June. It just caught my attention is all..."three providers to one nurse...can this be safe?"

I have fifty-two providers. And they're grown ups. And I'm very busy, but sounds like your providers need some training.

This response sounds very condescending. The OP was doing everything for these providers as she wrote in her posts. It didn't sound safe to me.

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