[Tweety]

Over the years I've always tried to be supportive of management where I work, but I'm very frustrated right now.

I'm in Florida. We all know that we are super busy in the winter, as that is our "season". We are dependent on travel nurses to help during this time.

When it was time to staff, back in November, our manager said she was having a hard time getting upper management to approve the nurses she was going to need. They either said no, or held up the process so long, the travel nurses accepted assignments elsewhere.

Now here it is February and everyone is working overtime, everyone is horribly short staffed taking assignments above and beyond their established ratios, managers working the floor, charge nurses taking assignments regularly, orientees not getting good orientation because their preceptor has a full assignment. People are flat out burned out.

In the meantime our census high, the hospital is making money hand over fist. I can't help but wonder if this all wasn't a plot to increase revenue or at least get ahead (we are a not-for-profit, but privately owned, recieving no local assistance and we need to stay in plus side).

People are starting to quit. I hope it bites them in the butt and they remember when they had the opportunity to schedule travelers that screwed themselves and burned out an entire hospital.

Sorry for the rant, I'm more venting than anything. But why would they not hire the workers, when there are loads of travel nurses looking for winter assignements in Florida??????

[Gldngrl]

Can't say for sure, Tweety, cheaper certainly to use one's own staff and overextend them or cancel them when not needed as opposed to hiring travelers, paying for their accomodations, etc.
I know of one nurse that splits her time in Fl and in a Mid Atlantic state and yet will not work in Fl, says the pay and work conditions are pretty bad; much of what you've just described.

[kwagner_51]

Tweety,

(((((((hugs)))))

Someone on this board says something about putting up with crap....

This is a sad condition you work under. Is there any way you can talk to your state reps? The ones in the capitol.

I have learned that sometimes you have to talk toyour your state reps to let them know how bad the conditions are at your hospital. If you don't let them know how bad it is they can't fix it.

I also learned resently that our State reps have much more power than our federal reps. I am going to get to know my State rep really well. Indiana has a bad case of not hiring enough nurses to fill the void.

Sorry you are having such a hard time right now.

God bless you with His grace and peace,

[hbscott]

Tweety,

Hang in there brother! Just remember that "effective coping" is the key to our survival and success. You can only do your best and anybody with half a brain will recognize that.

All in good time - things will work out. Until then don't let the "turkeys" get you down.

-HBS

[fab4fan]

Tweety: I think you answered your own question, Tweety.

[rollingstone]

Tweety, as you probably already know "not-for-profit" doesn't mean they don't make a profit. They're probably doing quite well. Too often management considers only the economic cost without considering the "human cost." By that I mean that they'll run you ragged and work you short and not care who quits as long as the budget is met and a profit is made. And I'm not against making a profit, but how often are the nurses rewarded for helping the hospital turn a profit. Oh yeah, during Nurses' Week they'll give you a coffee cup, tee shirt, or tote bag with the hospital logo on it, or maybe a voucher for lunch/dinner in the cafeteria, but if you're a loyal staff nurse you're still underpaid and underappreciated. Oh well, hang in there Tweety. We may "run" the hospital, but the suits still steer the ship.

[Tweety]

Thanks for the support fellows. Fab, I do believe now they are just unwilling to hire the nurses they need to give adequate ratios. I talked with an administrator who said part of the problem is last year the census was low and they used last years winter figures. This year people are sicker and banging down the door of the hospital. But he admitted they didn't hire enough people regardless. One managers units had 40 travelers last year, this year they gave her five. I know the census wasn't that low last year, since I was here.

Anyway, having three days off and saying no to overtime this weekend has made me a bit stronger to face the day today. I'll be o.k.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[CCU NRS]

Hang tuff Tweety, it does suck when you are working your arce off and it never seems to get any better, I know the feeling.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Originally Posted by CCU NRS

Hang tuff Tweety, it does suck when you are working your arce off and it never seems to get any better, I know the feeling.

I 2nd this...((((((((((((((((((TWEETY))))))))))))))))))) )))