As a float nurse, I'm 10 for 10 as far as being dumped on. The managers say that it shouldn't be that way but nothing changes. I reported my concerns verbally and filed my complaints in writing. Yet nothing changes. I'm an experienced nurse, well over 20 years....27 years this year, as a matter of fact, and I find it absolutely remarkable that rookie nurses can be sitting down relaxing 3 hours into the shift when it takes me more than 12 hours most days to do ALL that is required for my particular, hand-picked set of patients.
So, my solution to this? I stay off the clock 5 out of 7 days per week AND my cell phone is placed on silent on my days off!
What does it take to effect change when the managers just can't seem to recognize the negative correlation between workload and nursing shortage even when serious issues are put in writing? I know, budget is limited, staffing is based on the needs of the facility, etc. But what about team leaders looking out for their 'friends' or regular staff instead of making sure EVERY nurse has as fair assignment as possible? When we can look at the assignment and see at a glance that the float nurse has the majority of the empty rooms, thereby getting the bulk of the admissions, or are assigned to the only isolation rooms, frequent flyers who are known drug seekers, restrained patients, etc., FAVORITISM IS THE ISSUE and should be addressed! I had one team leader to tell me that I was getting so-n-so because Nurse Betty needed a break. But what about float nurse? When every leader on every floor has this rationale, the float nurse never gets a break. I've seen new nurses quit because they, too, are dumped on as being the 'new kid on the block'. When does it end? What do managers do to actually TRY to retain nurses?
If anyone has a working solution to this problem, please let me know. Otherwise, for me, it's tea time because I have 5 days off. LOL!!! When it changes, I may actuallly get to listen to my ringtone for a change.
