Has anyone read Part II of the reader's digest article. This one is entitled CRISIS IN THE ICE A NURSE BLOWS THE WHISTLE. It just came in the mail today and is the October issue. I am pretty much shocked and apalled this could even happen and quite frankly, makes me a little nervous. I start school in March. Is this an ICU thing or across the board.

I read it, I've lived it, (but not in an ER), yes it does happen. The

article was good but left me wondering at the end.

Details please! I don't get the Reader's Digest, so would you please share what this article says with us who have inquiring minds? Thanks! :)

The article is basically a day in the life of an ICU nurse and what she encounters in her 12 hour day. She goes on to explain her 3 patient's conditions and what care they need, yet don't receive because she is only 1 person and can only do so much. You know what's funny is that is seems the REAL problem is with the families of the patients. That one patients daughter who was going to tell the supervisor about the nurses "attitude." I would say BRING IT ON!!!!! It's amazing how the families could be so oblivious to their surroundings. Can't they see what is going on???? I know the last time I was in the hospital for a loved one, I wouldn't even imaging calling on the nurse for such nonsense. (but that's me)

That's why I'm sooooo happy my unit has closed visiting and we strictly enforce it. I affectionately refer to visiting hours as "inspection," because many families make me feel like I'm being scrutinized. Others, the ones with a clue, make me feel like a million bucks when they tell me how much they appreciate what I'm doing for their loved one.

Three ICU patients!!!! YIKES! I almost always have two and that's too many depending on the acuity.

...I think it is great to encourage folks to become informed about their conditions and teach them how to advocate for themselves to get the care they need -that said,I have yet to read an article in the Digest that gave an UNBIASED view of medicine...They are always making medical professionals look bad..

i read that articles too, they had another one in the july issue i think about shortages. i just started nursing school this fall and those articles, frankly, Scared me to DEATH! But , i am going on with it and i will survive! There are bad things in every occupation. But, surely the good things in nursing more than make up for the bad things. Someone tell me if i am wrong.

I dont get RD but my grandpa used to read it as religously as he did his bible. What I want to know is how can we go about getting our point of view from inside the ranks out there? There has to be a way. AS a matter of fact I am going to work on that. I have some letter writing to do.

I do not think the article made medical professionals look bad. It made people realize what kind of day we have. Maybe every single family member does not have to call and ask about thier family member. Let the nurse be out on the floor caring for patients. I loved the article. Lets people know what we are dealing with. It tells people why we may be short or seem to be in a hurry all the time. Family members often cross the lines. One night I had about 6 different people call me about Grandma. Finally I asked one if they have talked to any other family members. I know families want to know but I can not sit on the phone for an hour and risk being called rude if I am short or need to get off.

Maybe this article will teach people to be more patient and understanding. Yes, those back rubs and pillow fluffing can wait. Your nurse may be trying to save someone's life.

I have not seen the article yet but I can respond to those that believe that they or any other nurse, can change the perception of family members, in regard to the care their loved one is receiving. I thought as much thirty years ago, and I remember vividly taking up the Holy Grail of showing family members the excellent care their loved ones were getting. Statistically, about one third see you as their relative's savior:eek: one third see you as their relative's most likely cause of death, and one third see you as the Maid, Butler, Servant who must be led by their noses to do the "Right" thing for their relative. Over that span of time, these catagories have remained constant and have not changed significantly. You are only as good or bad as you are presently, in their eyes, and no matter what you do in the area of fitting your care to a particular patient's needs, their first impression of you is the one that lasts. The sooner you accept that fact, the sooner you begin not to worry about what anyone thinks of you. You may then focus on the most important aspect of your care, which is to give each patient your best and to do no harm:cool: Just my Opinion. Jay

By speaking up. Getting the point of view from the inside ranks is exactly what the Readers Digest articles were doing. They were written by real nurses. That one in the October issue was a real assignment in a real workday lived by a real nurse. It didnt make the nurse look bad at all. You have to wonder how one person can do everything that was expected & be pulled in a million different directions & still provide the critical care that pts needed --- without making any mistakes. And you get a clear idea of exactly why there is a shortage of nurses willing to work at the bedsides now. It showed just what is really happening everyday & makes people realize how "cost-cutting" has had its impact.

I don't waste time worrying about family's perception anymore either Jay. I do the best I can possibly do then I forget about it.

wow Jay, I couldn't agree with you more. I didn't read the article either, but judging from the conversations so far, 3 patients in ICU is way too much. Here (in my neck of Ontario) You would get 2 patients on a bad day. As far as family...well I kind of understand why they are so agitated and ask for so much...they are distressed at seeing their loved one in such a critical state. That is no excuse for bad behaviour though, but what can you do? You don't want to start a fight for sure, and explanation probably wouldn't do much. Maybe i'm being naive, but perhaps one could go to their manager and discuss the problem, before it escalates to the point of family making complaints. (usually you can see this coming from the get go) Perhaps the manager or charge nurse could help de-escalate the situation. Restricted visiting hours i think are a MUST, except in the most severe situations.