Refused my first assignment today.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in LTC.

I never thought this day would come so soon with me only having 2 years of experience as a nurse but it came and happened today.

I refused my first assignment. I felt I would not of been able to give safe patient care with the load I was expected to have and with limited resources. I stood flat footed in front of the DON and administer of the facility and said "No" I have to admit I was shaking in my boots a bit however, I was prepared to be fired on the spot or quit right then in there. Neither happened as we were able to work something out.

The day shift nurse also refused the same assignment in the AM, so that should give management clue that what they are asking is unsafe.:uhoh3:

I'm currently sending my resume out as I type. I got to get away from this facility.:mad:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good for you!

It's a real concern that this is so prevalent.

Why do administrators, ect EVERYWHERE think this shrt staffing is the way to go?

It boggles my mind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good for you and thank you for putting patient safety first. We need more nurses like you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma/Critical Care.

:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah

::bowingpur

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Rehab, Med/surg Pediactrics.

Yes I agree Good for you and thank you for putting patient safety first. We need more nurses like you! :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.
Good for you!

It's a real concern that this is so prevalent.

Why do administrators, ect EVERYWHERE think this shrt staffing is the way to go?

It boggles my mind.

As long as nurses keep on accepting dangerous and unacceptable nurse patient ratios management will keep on doing it. Why should they change anything ... there's always someone who will take the job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adult Acute Care Medicine.

Thanks for being brave! We DO need more nurses like you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your decision is very comendable. You did the right thing. Be proud of yourself for standing up for what you believe in. I know you will find a better place to work. Its good you are getting out before you turn bitter due to poor working conditions. Too many people end up hating their job because of circumstances like this but yet they do nothing about it but walk around with a nasty attitude and a dirty look on their face for years.

Good luck with the job search and I thank you as well for putting patients first! We do need more nurses like yourself!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am proud of you and thank you for your bravery. It is a mess out there on the front lines. We need more nurses like you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, the tide has turned, indeed!

2 years ago this board would have been alive with the sound of nurses chastising you for "failing to put the pt. first".

Bless you, sister, and let this be a lesson: Stand up to what you KNOW is right. They will ALWAYS back down in the face of right and might.

Maybe drillers and welders CAN be replaced in a strike. But great nurses, NOT SO MUCH.

"Fight for your right to care".

(This is the beginning to a great slogan, anybody want to think of ends to "fight for your right to..."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

I'm honestly sick and tired of under staffing ! When I get my RN I'm joining the ANA and will also participate in writing our local legislators. It may not change anything but for now I won't accept an assignment I can't handle. They are so busy looking at the numbers rather than acuity ! Really ?

I'm sure I now have a target on my back but I don't care....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

One good lawsuit from a mistake from short-staffing will nix any petty salary savings they claim to receive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment