Recently I have been orienting a new hire to the SICU. The hospital is a large hospital in a small town. This nurses has 3 years ICU experience working at "THE World Famous Medical Center". She has been shocked at how we doing things here in the sticks. She asked me who comes and monitors the baloon pump?
I answered "you of course".
Q: What is the number for the IV team?
A: You are the IV team. (Turns out this RN had never attempted an IV in her life)
Q: Does the turn team come on odd or even hours?
A: You are the turn team for your patients.
Q: Who comes and places NGs?
A: you place NGs on your patients.
Q: Does the admission tream work at night?
A: Yes! You are the admission team and you work nights.
Q: Where can I find lab's number to come and draw this CBC?
A: You are the lab draw person.
Q: Who changes central line dressings?
A: It's all YOU baby!
Q: We need a STAT levophed gtt, where can I find pharmacy's number?
A: Here is a vial of levophed and a 250ml bag of saline. You get to mix them.
Q: Do I call RT to draw this ABG?
A: Here's your syringe with needle attached.
Q: How do I get ahold of the lift team?
A: You stick you head out the door and ask anyone you see for help.
Q: What resident do we call now that our patient has gone into rapid a-fib?
A: You deal with it per protocal.
Q: What is the number for the code team?
A: You ARE the code team, at least a good chunk of it.
This nurse is obviously very bright and knows her stuff. However it has left me wondering what RNs do at "THE World Famous Medical Center"?
