[traumaRUs]

What is your nurse manager thinking???? Does she want to dress up and go to court???? I'm an ER nurse (level I trauma center) and in our hospital ER nurses don't float. I actually have worked OT in the ICU but I used to work ICU so don't feel uncomfortable, but would never accept assignment that I didn't feel comfortable with.

[PRFICURN]

I think that your are very appropriate to feel uncomfortable abou being ordered to take care of a vent dependant patient.

Always think of your level of traning and experience. If you don't have the trainng then your supervisors have no right to ask to do something out of your scope of practice.

I hae worked in aspect of critical care for 20 years. That would be like asking me to work a shift in the newborn nursery. I don't have the proper experience or training to do that.

Keep sticking to your guns and refuse the assignment until you are offered the proper educational experiences and the clinical orientation to do the job.

PRF

[fedupnurse]

Hi Askater,
You have plenty to be worried about! I have 10 years of ICU under my belt. That's all I have done since I became an RN. Sending a step down nurse to an ICU is like sneding an ICU nurse to med surg or OB!! We wouldn't know what to do there! You have to be balloon pump certified to take a pump patient. My hospital does routinely pull staff from step down to the unit (and vice versa) and they do get vented patients. We fill out Short Staffing Forms to document the unsafe conditions and one of us watches out for the pulled nurse as much as possible. You can give them stable patients but they can circle the drain at any time-that's why they are in the unit.
I don't know if you are working in a unionized facility, I do. We can also complete an Assignment despite Objection form. It has the date, time, supervisor's name and the general conditions of why you feel you cannot safely take the assignment. It is important to CYA. If something happens the suits will all play dumb and say "the staff never said anything". You can also document it by submitting a professional, matter of fact type letter to the manager you work for. After working with people in the same position you are put into, I can tell you, it is scary for everyone!
Good luck!
fedupnurse