Apr 01, 2008 08:21 PM - Right on, Nitengale166!!!!

Apr 02, 2008 06:41 PM - Regarding staying over to get things done...(we all have lots of examples, I'm sure, but...)

I'll never understand why the surgical checklist isn't done for a patient that the previous shift KNEW was going to surgery...they took the time to get the consents signed but DID NOT do the surgical checklist???...and PRESTO your shift starts and the transport guerney is there to take the patient...

wait...wait...wait...it gets better, there's no WEIGHT on the chart so the patient needs to be weighed too...and then ALL your patients start calling because they're in pain...AND THE STRESS BUILDS...you guys know the drill

BUT WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?...IS THE PREVIOUS SHIFT TRYING TO BE MALICIOUS??? I don't believe so...

the only thing I can attribute this to is that the nurse never calls O.R. Holding to find out WHEN the surgery for their patient is scheduled for because the nurse sees that as a low priority...

All shift long, we constantly have to prioritize and that's what I mean by it's a 24/7 job...I don't purposely LOOK for things that fall on my shift to UNLOAD onto the next shift, but we've all had to prioritize and ignore certain tasks and we'll continue to have to do that...

In a perfect world we'd get everything done all the time, but nursing isn't a perfect world!

That's why I am taking steps in my life to create something different...that's why I work two 12-hr. shifts a week (considered part-time) and NOT three anymore...I choose to create a different life for myself!

Apr 03, 2008 08:41 AM - ".and then ALL your patients start calling because they're in pain...AND THE STRESS BUILDS...you guys know the drill"


The "drill" you speak of is self-perpetuated.

You, the nurse, are in charge. If you rush and you end up screwing something up, they'll come gunnin' for you.


YOU must take charge and, in a priority fashion, complete the tasks...at a safe clip!

If the OR is calling, tell them what YOU need to do. If patients are in pain, get the charge, super or other nurse to handle them, if you need to travel right away.

IN NURSING, YOU CANNOT MAKE UP FOR TIME LOST WITHOUT RISKING AN ERROR.

..."but nursing isn't a perfect world!"


Nursing is unpredictable. And if others with whom you work have yet to understand that, it is because you have not made it clear.

Instead, we continue to try to get more and more done, in the same amount of time and then we watch ourselves run around like the old headless chicken 'cause it ain't possible...and it will only get worse as JHACO mandates a continuing litany of tasks that nursing will rubber stamp..lie it has for 50 years.

We have no voice because vast numbers of us are the suffering selfless silent. And that's at the heart of most all of nursing's complaints.

At least here, on this website, we can talk freely and let others now what' s happening.

Apr 05, 2008 09:01 PM - Interleukin
How would you deal with these two incidents?
1) You are the junior RN on the floor at a school. On Drs clinic morning, one student asks to see the dr about a matter and I have said "Yes, he may". My superior states that he does not need to see the doctor, just give this and that. Two days later working by yourself you are concerned about his illness, symptoms are worse. The hospital keeps him as he has cellulis. For the next week everything you do is wrong.
I tend to err on right side of caution and same week sent another boy to Doctors. He had atypical pneumonia. Admitted to hospital. Another week of so called faults on my part.

situation 2 In our establishment there are both RNs and Endorsed ENs. The senior asks the EENs to attend to an IV injection. This is not considered within their scope of competence being an invasive procedure and so they refuse as they are not permitted to do this.
As an RN I can legally give an IV and know how to although haven't done any for a while. I am refused the option even though I am the Nurse on call. I feel it's insulting. Is this professional jealousy or bullying. Of course If the senior wants me to do something she couldn't be nicer.

Apr 07, 2008 12:55 AM - Really great article. Thank you I have only once experienced abuse from a 1st year resident while I was in nursing school. He snapped at me when I suggested something, saying I was wrong. I found out later that I was correct and he was wrong. I felt like going back up to him and saying "yes, you can". My preceptor told me to let it go and ignore him, as he was a 1st year. What is that suppose to mean? That's not an excuse for talking down to me as if I know nothing. I know one day he will hear what I said in being true by someone who is teaching him. He will then remember what he told me. Ah! My hope is to be a strong force in the nursing community. I want to be a strong leader and help bring positive change to the world of nursing. I have many friends and family members who are RN's and I hear about the abuse they have taken or in some cases, are still accepting b/c it seems to be the norm. In order to make change though, it takes many more than one voice. All nurses need to rise up together and stop things and stand up for who they are and what they do. We are the MAJORITY in the hospital and WE ARE WHAT KEEPS THE HOSPITAL MOVING.

Apr 07, 2008 09:28 AM - Dear hassled

Sc 1.

Small minds and those with personal agendas or issues will always find some way to diminish your input or successes..no matter how brilliant.

Your job is not to please them but to take care of your patients.
You will NEVER please someone who has his/her own problems.
Ignore their remarks.

All good nurses, "tend to err on right side of caution"

Follow your instincts, not their nonsense. It is not a popularity contest.

Sc 2

Again, see above.
But I cannot properly comment because I do not know what an EEN is.

Apr 07, 2008 09:31 AM - DearStudentNurseBean,

You are a hero and will be a beacon for others if you can pracrice with the conviction with which you speak.

Rock on!!

Apr 07, 2008 05:55 PM - Interleukin
Thanks for your post. I think you are right so I think I'll just let things ride.
An EEN is an endorsed enrolled Nurse. Over here it is an 18 month course I think. They can do most things a RG can and can give medications except for IV drugs. I don't know if your equivilent is a LPN is that Licenced Practical nurse?.

Apr 07, 2008 06:18 PM - Dear Hassled,

Yes, it seems your EENs are LPNs here. Although some RNs love to disparage them r/t the RN's own insecurities, any engaged LPN can have significant clinical expertise and keen judgement.

In your case, you offered your services and they were turned down. Fine, less work for you.

Remember, in normal circumstances, no one can take away your dignity. Although, you may give it way by behaving like those wwo haven't a real clue.

Stand tall. Learn more than you need to know. Make people laugh.
Get out of poisonous environments.

It's your job...not your life.

Apr 07, 2008 09:40 PM - Interleukin,

"Remember, in normal circumstances, no one can take away your dignity. Although, you may give it way by behaving like those wwo haven't a real clue.

Stand tall. Learn more than you need to know. Make people laugh.
Get out of poisonous environments."

You're inspiring