Do you feel you have enough time to safely care for your patients?

[Brian]

This months survey question:

Do you feel you have enough time to safely care for your patients?

We encourage your comments and discussion on this question. To post your comments, just click on the "Post Reply" button

FYI-

Here are the overwhelming results from last months survey with 1842 participants:

Q: Do you feel you have enough time to safely care for your patients?

A: Yes 17.28 % No 82.72 %

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by bshort (edited June 17, 2000).]

[RN'91]

The answer to your question...NO!

The motto where i work is..."DO BETTER WITH LESS".

Unfortunatly, it's the patients that get the short end of the stick.

------------------

~RN'91~ :)

[leem]

Originally posted by bshort:

This months survey question:

Do you feel you have enough time to safely care for your patients?

We encourage your comments and discussion on this question. To post your comments, just click on the "Post Reply" button

FYI-

Here are the overwhelming results from last months survey with 1842 participants:

Q: Do you feel you have enough time to safely care for your patients?

A: Yes 17.28 % No 82.72 %

Thanks!

[This message has been edited by bshort (edited June 17, 2000).]

Well Boys and Girls,

I am not a nurse, but I have spent about 3-4 hours every day since July '93 in either an ICU, sub-acute, rehab hospital, or nursing home, advocating for and supporting a relative who was very seriously injured in an auto accident.

I've seen the same scenerios played out over and over and over again. From gross incompetence, to management staffing tricks as scurrilous as counting the housekeeping personnel as healthcare staff to bring the ratio down.

But the truth is, its your fault that this crap continues. You have let others cow you into believing that you have to accept the conditions that they place upon you. If enough of you would truly stand up and be counted then the situation would change.

You have many options. Your frustration is justified, but merely venting does little good. Exercise your franchise to vote, and lobby for legislation which will bring some sanity into the situation. How many of you have done more than just complain, either silently or to one another? Have you notified any of the various agencies which regulate healthcare when you see grossly negligent practices or policies proscribed by whatever coporation you work for?

Do you let the families know what is actually going on so they can advocate? As a nurse you are supposed to be a patient advocate first. Many fear that they will lose their job if they make waves. I understand that. But there are many ways to skin a cat. You don't have to stand on a soap box, but by doing nothing and allowing things to continue as they are, you elect to become the problem, not the solution.

These may sound like harsh words, but they are not meant to be. I am greatful when a good nurse pulls me aside and lets me know whats going on so that I can advocate more effectively. But it is your voice which needs to be heard loudly. The fact is, YOU have the power, NOT your managers or corporations. Without YOU they are out of business. You need to reclaim what is yours. You became a nurse because of your sense of humanity, and care and concern for your fellow human beings. Don't continue to allow that to be stolen from you.

Thank You,

Lee

[lactationrn]

NO!! we dotn have enough time to care for patiets anymore! I was actually fired froma travel contract because I refused to take 12 patients ona post partem floor. you only have 24 hours with thoes patients and there is a lot you have to teach them. I is not safe or fair to the patients!!!!!!

[night owl]

it's simple...less staff=less time per pt.=a decrease in the safety factor=injuries/pt& staff. and that's everywhere !