[CMCRN]

CNA allready started this in California, it's called ratios

[BrokenRNheart]

Ya, we have had ratio and acuity control our nurse-patient ratio.

Who knows where this will all lead. I know I don't want to be a patient in a hospital and I don't want any one I care about to be there either.

I try to treat the patient the way I would want to be treated or the way I want my loved ones treated. The hospital is the reason I can't.

[JustaPatient]

Originally Posted by BrokenRNheart

I am so glad you are here! I believe the patients need to know. I believe patients are our strongest support. If you know we are busy and it affects your care, you can speak up. It will hurt nurses at first or if you don't make it clear that you know what is going on.

Any patients that know should address it with risk management and patient relations but they should say that they know that the workload is the problem and not that the nurses aren't trying. In writing would be better yet. That way it is very clear of what you know.

Thanks for joining us! You just made my day.

Being a member here has also helped me. When I am in the hospital and I push my call button and my nurse doesn't come for what 10 mins I now realize they WILL come when they can and that maybe it is hitting the fan with another patient. That they have alot to do so if it is that I want something I just say it to the person who answers the call light so that if it is something someone else can do, to make my nurses life easier then they can do it instead.

I have always loved my nurses when I am in the hospital. But from having been here I have come to also have a much deeper respect for them also.

[BrokenRNheart]

Originally Posted by JustaPatient

Being a member here has also helped me. When I am in the hospital and I push my call button and my nurse doesn't come for what 10 mins I now realize they WILL come when they can and that maybe it is hitting the fan with another patient. That they have alot to do so if it is that I want something I just say it to the person who answers the call light so that if it is something someone else can do, to make my nurses life easier then they can do it instead.

I have always loved my nurses when I am in the hospital. But from having been here I have come to also have a much deeper respect for them also.

You are awesome. Remember that when the time comes that your need is a priority you have to let it be known. The fact that you can tell the difference between what is important and what can wait is awesome. But, if you think it is important, make sure you let that be known.

When I have patients like you I tell them that when they want me or need me I will be there. I make them promise not to worry that I am too busy.

Keep yourself safe.

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by BrokenRNheart

I am so glad you are here! I believe the patients need to know. I believe patients are our strongest support. If you know we are busy and it affects your care, you can speak up. It will hurt nurses at first or if you don't make it clear that you know what is going on.

Any patients that know should address it with risk management and patient relations but they should say that they know that the workload is the problem and not that the nurses aren't trying. In writing would be better yet. That way it is very clear of what you know.

Thanks for joining us! You just made my day.

I used to ENCOURAGE my pts to write their complaints. They were afraid it would get me in trouble, but I told them that NOT saying anything makes it seem that there is nothing wrong w/ the system!

[JustaPatient]

Originally Posted by BrokenRNheart

You are awesome. Remember that when the time comes that your need is a priority you have to let it be known. The fact that you can tell the difference between what is important and what can wait is awesome. But, if you think it is important, make sure you let that be known.

When I have patients like you I tell them that when they want me or need me I will be there. I make them promise not to worry that I am too busy.

Keep yourself safe.

Sorry I just realized this post is REALLY off topic.


That is one thing I worry about. I worry I am bothering them. I always feel like I should be able to do more for myself then I can. It is probably a good thing that my IV is always connected to my bed, thus I need to be disconnected because even though I know I should call for them, I probably would not. I would feel like I am 20 I should be able to walk with out help.

I USED to not even call my nurse for meds when I was in pain. That is until I became a member here and found out they WANT us to call for that.

I did this one day when I was being discharged. Walked down to get something from a resteraunt in the lobby and got SO dizzy. One of the men at the front desk who I had seen a lot and he knew me from office visits brought me back to my unit in a wheel chair. Then went to find my nurse or someone else to tell what had happened. I was SO embarrassed. :

[crb613]

sent mine & also sent to friends so they can participate.....we need all the voices we can get!

[whipping girl in 07]

Just sent mine, hope it helps, and I'm sending a link to everyone I know in healthcare!

[Angie O'Plasty, RN]

Originally Posted by JustaPatient

Being a member here has also helped me. When I am in the hospital and I push my call button and my nurse doesn't come for what 10 mins I now realize they WILL come when they can and that maybe it is hitting the fan with another patient. That they have alot to do so if it is that I want something I just say it to the person who answers the call light so that if it is something someone else can do, to make my nurses life easier then they can do it instead.

I have always loved my nurses when I am in the hospital. But from having been here I have come to also have a much deeper respect for them also.

Not to go off-topic or anything, but would you rather hear us lie to you and tell you "we have the time" when we don't or would you rather we told the truth and said, "Gee, I'm swamped right now, but I'll get it as soon as I possibly can" ??

A lot of the issues here are that nurses are taught to be honest and have good morals and lots of integrity and then we get coerced into saying things to patients that we feel are out-and-out lies.

I'm interested in your opinion on these management initiatives, JustaPatient. As a patient, what would you prefer? That we tell you the truth or that we stonewall you with scripted messages?

[BrokenRNheart]

Originally Posted by Angie O'Plasty, RN

Not to go off-topic or anything, but would you rather hear us lie to you and tell you "we have the time" when we don't or would you rather we told the truth and said, "Gee, I'm swamped right now, but I'll get it as soon as I possibly can" ??

A lot of the issues here are that nurses are taught to be honest and have good morals and lots of integrity and then we get coerced into saying things to patients that we feel are out-and-out lies.

I'm interested in your opinion on these management initiatives, JustaPatient. As a patient, what would you prefer? That we tell you the truth or that we stonewall you with scripted messages?

Ya, maybe our own patient survey?