This is making me nervous

[reddellrn]

:grn:my hospital is trying to cut corners due to low census. So here is what they are doing. I work on a 10 bed rehab unit. our average amt of pts is 4-7. Now they want to pull my lpn to the medsurg floor from 11-7, leaving the rn by theirself. If the census on the medsurg floor is low they wont pull the nurse. Now even with 4 pts im very uncomfortable and nervous all night long by myself. what if some one codes or im giving meds in one room and someone is trying to get out of bed in another room? And we have alot of pts with dementia, alzehimers and stroke pts with impulse issues. What do yall think? Is this safe? Can they do this? Is it legal?

[Nurserton]

At the end of the day, ALWAYS remember, you have to protect your license. The facility will not be more concerned with protecting your license and having your back versus covering its butt, and at the end of the day the nurse will always get hung out to dry. So do what you have to do. If you feel an assignment is unsafe, don't take it. You may lose your job, it's true. (I know a nurse who was fired for refusing 9 patients.) ...But you won't lose your license. And you can get another job, especially since it sounds like you have experience. But don't set yourself up. Safety issues, patient care issues, etc. are all jeopardized. You at least need a tech. They are humans with multiple needs and you are only one person. I'd be interested in your patient satisfaction scores. If your facility focuses big on that, point out that they'd for sure go up. Our unit is an 8 bed step-down and our scores instantly went up drastically when staffing was adjusted.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Where I work an RN has to work with at least another CNA even if there is only 1 patient. They would never pair up 2 RN's though for only 1-2 patients. But they would never leave the RN by herself even with 1 patient.

Same here. There has to be atleast two "BLS" (assuming non-monitored unit. If monitored pt. at least one the staff members has to be ACLS/PALS certified) trained personnel at ALL times. When one of 'em needs a break, someone else floats there or the charge/nursing supervisor sticks around.

Can't imagine running a unit - any unit - with just one warm body. That's just dumb and asking for trouble. What would you do if someone codes? Can you imagine the liability (not to mention eventual pt. outcome?)

OP, you have every right to be nervous. I'd be nervous too.

I'd also check out my State regulations regarding this situation. If in doubt, talk to the BON for your State.

- Roy