20 patients, GIVE ME A BREAK!

[WindyhillBSN]

some input here would be appreciated. ok, i was working the night shift on the med surge floor, and i admit i didn't get much rest the previous night or during the day, so i was delirious. i did in fact ask a nurse 3 times whether or not she copied the vital signs off my sheet or not. however, while i was getting the vitals and i's and o's for 7:00, one of the nurses stated that she would get 3 of her patients. well,when she finally asked me about one of them she asked me if i got the vitals. i said that i thought that she was going to get it, then she snapped at me and said, "i said i was just getting i's and o's. i didin't appreciate her snapping at me like that. could it be that i really didn't hear her? is this a sign that maybe i'm not cut out for the night shift? i usually do pretty well.:uhoh21:

[new RN old GI]

Hello CNA Windy Hill,

I am a nursing student attending the Univ of NV, Reno, and I'm involved in a group project trying to improve communication and reporting between CNAs and RNs. Obviously you are frustrated by the difficulty of providing and getting vitals, I/O and other info to your nurse as related to your high patient load. My group is exploring ways on making communication easier, accurate and expediant. Has anyone in you department or institution brought up the subject of using wireless pdas to pass vitals, i/o and similiar info to and from CNAs and nurses?

I would appreciate your comments and any insights you may have in making communication and reporting less frustrating between CNAs and nurses.

Thanks, and hang in there,

duaneb in Reno, NV

[love_being_an_aide]

Don't get discouraged! I work the night-shift, and have experienced the same thing as you many times. You work in a very high stress environment, with peoples tempers going off like bottle rockets. It could very well be that you were just tired and didn't hear her. I get like that a lot. Just keep in mind that the night RN's really have a lot of work to do, regardless or what other shifts say. They are called "the clean-up crew" in many places because they have to pick up the slack left to them by other shifts, like paperwork, passing out late meds, and so on, not to mention their own assessments and paperwork, plus checking charts. I do think, however, that maybe if the situation arises again, take the nurse aside and tell her you understand her frustration, but there is no reason to speak to you the way she has. Tell her you will get the VS. on the patient as soon as you have time. I know it's hard to sometimes confront a person, but trust me, sometimes it's for the best. She may not know the way her tone comes across. I did this firsthand with a nurse one time, and we now have a great, professional working relationship. Oh, and don't leave the night-shift. It really is a fun shift to work!