Published
I didn't read the article, but I can tell you what will retain nurses, increase patient satisfaction and probably lower costs r/t lawsuits. Common sense approaches I have seen after my 11 years as an RN:
Staff according to admissions. This is a no brainer, you cannot take care of 5 people properly if you are in a patient's room for an hour doing paper work.
Staff according to the patients, not the numbers. I can have a night where I have 6 patients that are settled and calm and do my job well. On the other hand I have nights were one patient or family takes up the bulk of my 8 hour shift and my other 4 patients only get seen once or twice.
Make sure I have the supplies to do my job. If I need a bed pan, I should have a freaking bed pan. Nothing more frustrating to me than when I have to spend 15 minutes hunting down supplies.
Bosses/Administration that supports their nurses. When I have a patient/family that is being unreasonable or is just outright crazy and they make an accusation. Let it end there. Support your nurses with the idea that I am innocent until proven guilty. Remember, there are always two sides to a story.
Bosses/Administration that take care of the trouble makers. I am sick and tired of working short because the same aides call off time and time again. I am sick and tired of having to defend myself to bully nurses who feel the need to go back through 6 charts and find the one thing I forgot to do, write, give. Freakin put your big boy/girl panties on and deal with these creatins. The rest of us will be eternally greatful.
sirI, MSN, APRN, NP
17 Articles; 45,877 Posts
Rest of the story: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/708170?src=mp&spon=24&uac=87363SX
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