We have a nurse working with us from Agency. This is the Emergency Department. All her experience is in some sort of special long term vent unit. She initially appeared to be alright, but quickly started to complain that no one was letting her do the "fun stuff..." and that she knew more than any of the other nurses, but no one would "Give her a chance"
Well, I've seen some strange things
For example she had to ask a MD about Nitro SL- asking if the SL stood for some long acting form of Nitro...she didn't know it went sub lingually.
Wrote on a chart that Solumedrol 125 mg had been given by Resp Therapy (even though the order was for IV...of course the RT had given an albuterol neb...)
Recently we had a code situation in which she busted her way into the room (5 nurses already in there) and insisted on pushing the drugs. Instead of the paralytic, she drew up Narcan...and was stopped from pushing it. She later admitted that she did not know what these drugs did. She was angry because she made a mistake and informed us all that she could "Nurse circles around you all in cardiac" despite the fact that she had just not, and done something actually quite dangerous: 1. drew up the wrong drug and 2. did not even KNOW what the drug she was giving was supposed to do...
Now, the Charge RN is on top of it and is communicating with management to get her out of here. I am sure she is a fine nurse, but her previos scope of practice did not prepare her for the Emergency Department with no orientation.
My question: We are a very helpful ED. Everyone helps everyone else to take care of the patients. It's nice to know someone has your back. But, I want this Agency person to stay out of my rooms- with no exceptions.
I've tried, "I prefer to deliver direct care for my patients any time I can" but she continues to barge in and try to give medications on my patients.
So, Any constructive suggestions on how I can keep her away from my patients. She should not be here much longer, but I'm feeling stressed with her around, because she has shown an inability to interpret these orders properly.
PS: I'm not unsympathetic. I understand her interest in working ED, but I maintain that a proper 4-6 week orientation rather than coming by agency, would have been the proper route for this person.
