How is this possible

NeoNurseTX, RN · Mar 25, 2009

I get it done currently, but we're going to all computer charting next week and I have a feeling a lot of us are going to face this issue!

Oh, I'm in NICU, 2-3 patients and I will only skip bathing or (complete) linen changes if I had the patient the night before and did all that and they still have clean linens and are not a sweaty chronic kid...and that's if I'm reallly busy that night. Often I'll skip half of my lunch because I don't take an hour to eat!

Mandylou · Mar 25, 2009

I work on a med-surg/ortho floor. I have between 9-13 patients. We have lpn's that are med-nurses, we still give prn's and administer some pushes and piggy backs. We (lpn and rn) are responsible for hourly charting on every patient. This is where we run into trouble. It is nearly impossible. Once you round on all the patients it is time to start again. Not to mention the tasks that pop up like: cleaning up incontinence, med passes, trouble shooting patients problems, calling docs, and so on. Those things make it easy to get behind. Lunch breaks also throw us off. So, yes I struggle with getting it all done. I just do as much as I can and try to make sure my patients are well cared for. Honestly the less critical. stable pts, often get less attention and I hate that but it is reality.

JB2007, ASN, RN · Mar 25, 2009

I work in LTC and I have 30 residents. No, I do not get everything done every day. When I have to skip something I ask myself, will this resident die or be injuried in anyway if I skip this? If I can honestly say no, then I will skip it. Most of the time it is some sort of repeative paperwork that just needs to be done. Hello, I have this documented in 3 other places. I do not think you need it documented again. If I do not have time to do a treatment I will pass it on in report that it needs to be done. Nursing is a 24 hour thing, so hopefully the next shift is able to do it.

RNperdiem, RN · Mar 25, 2009

I work in ICU and generally get things done and charted on time.

Since I am per diem, they tend to assign me stable pairs of patients, which helps sometimes.

I used to work in med-surg with 6 patients, and had a harder time getting all the work done and the charting done.

On a calm day, I could get my patient care and charting done okay. I seldom ate lunch and rarely sat down.

On a crazy day, I felt that I was not able to give the kind of care I think my patients deserved.

Yes, they got their meds, but I didn't have people boosted up and straight in bed, I rushed through feedings on people who took a long time to feed(CNA's feeding my other feeder), didn't have the time to listen to a lonely patient talk. On a crazy day, mouth care was less frequent, and the rooms stayed messy.

As a nurse, I left that job because I ended every shift feeling demoralized because the patients didn't get the nursing care I feel they really needed.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2009

I work in pediatrics and normally have 4-5 pts (regardless of whether I'm working days or nights). Generally I can get my work done in the 12 hrs alotted.

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2009

Sometimes I choose a break over charting and end up paying for it later. I have no problem clocking out before I'm through. Right now, I'm just happy to be employed!

CaLLaCoDe, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2009

i work in icu and generally get things done and charted on time.
on a crazy day, i felt that i was not able to give the kind of care i think my patients deserved.
yes, they got their meds, but i didn't have people boosted up and straight in bed, i rushed through feedings on people who took a long time to feed(cna's feeding my other feeder), didn't have the time to listen to a lonely patient talk. on a crazy day, mouth care was less frequent, and the rooms stayed messy.
as a nurse, i left that job because i ended every shift feeling demoralized because the patients didn't get the nursing care i feel they really needed.

this is me. if i only didn't have a conscious! :rolleyes: :wshgrt: