I Would Like Your Opinion.... am I right?

Specialties MICU

Published

Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

I have previously posted on a co-worker in my new assignment - she left one night (she had 2 patients, so did I) and when I discovered she had gone home without saying a word to me, I called our supervisor who called her and made her come back to work -can you spell ABANDONMENT. She frequently took on the clock lunch times (one was 5 hours to SHOP), and I have a pic of her longest sleep (midnight to 6 a.m.). Long story short, I went to the unit supervisor (over my direct supervisor who NEVER wrote her up but hid her antics) who promised changes.... well, the changes were that we went from an 8 bed unit to a 4 bed unit -- the staffing problem was fixed by "floating" one RN to her unit of choice where she is to PRN... the other RN is now 4 to one.

Memorial Day (night shift) was the second night in a row I was in the unit with four (actually 6) patients without a TECH, a SECRETARY, anyone who could help me in a bind.

I started out with two patients (one the grandfather of a PA in the ER) and another young woman who became painfree, negative enzymes, negative EKG, and so she signed out AMA. I must have been drawn to the phone by the PA with "orders" at least 20 times to get his grandfather out of our unit and upstairs (I concur with the transfer - the man's problem was entirely pulmonary - he is a COPDer) then, I got two peas-in-a-pod women from our other facility (honestly, they arrived within 10 minutes of each other).... I finally got a central staff unit clerk to come down to do my admit paperworks- I REFUSE TO DO OR TO LEARN UNIT CLERK WORK.

Then the ER wanted to send a prisoner with guard. I refused because while all this other stuff was going on, the cleaning crew decided to tape down the middle of the unit, move all the furniture which made the aisle to the rooms less than 24 inches wide... the rooms themselves are only wide enough to hold a stretcher and an EKG machine - so there was no room for a guard..... suddenly this prisoner (assault/DUI) was dismissed by the police department so no guard was necessary (HONEST TO GOD, I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP)...now I have 4 rooms filled - the cleaning man wants to run the electric stripper and I say NO WAY - my patients need to sleep.. his supervisor appears to argue but I win - he manually strips the wax and rewaxes (SMELLS!!)..... now the ER charge comes over and rolls out the PA's granddad to admit through the ER to a tele floor... so I have an empty room.... the house supervisor comes to see "how things are going"... the ER Charge is sarcastic and nasty.

The fourth patient came at 0730. I applied the next day for a different position and was hired immediately.... I gave two weeks notice but the supervisor said to me, I transferred you immediately ... no notice necessary.

Am I the only person who thinks that I should not have had 4 patients by myself --- it is UNSAFE, UNSAFE, UNSAFE... now, the code cart is in a locked room - at the front of the unit... should I do the code button and then run like heck to get the code cart?

I am looking forward to my new position.... the aforementioned RN remains in the unit I just left.

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Specializes in er/icu/neuro/trauma/pacu.

You were right to transfer. You felt unsafe in that position, and are now out of it.

Good luck with your neww position.

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Specializes in ICU.

I think you did the right thing by leaving! That situation sounds so unsafe!

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

there should always be 2 nurses on floor regardless how many patients. If something happens you need someone to get help. If there is only one patient then there should be 2 nurses. That is unsafe! That is crazy, I would have been screaming up the chain of command. It is a patient saftey issue plain and simple.

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

I did scream up the chain of command; I believe that is why I was granted immediate change of job (a good thing) instead of having to work two weeks notice with the same supervisor.

I wish I knew where in the state I live in I could register my complaint.

Thank you all for the support.

I will check this weekend to see if the one nurse for 4 patients rule has been changed.

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

Well, the big boss decided it was unsafe for one nurse alone with 4 patients so therefore, they will have an aide and a secretary... makes me very happy.

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just read your story.... i was stunned when reading your story. how come the other nurse was not apprehended on what she did? i think what she did is totally way wrong.seriously.... leaving your post and abandoning your patient is a mortal sin in a nursing profession. i wonder whats with her.....?????

rita

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

RitaPhil

Honest to goodness - she is still working there... the immediate boss over us covered up her actions - I still don't know why - UNFAIR - God will take care of her.....

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too bad then. it is kinda unfair for that kind of situation. it is awful. anyway, i do believe in karma. time will come for her and she will regret what she did. and i hope she will come to herself and think that what she did was wrong...just keep up your work then and do your best in your work.

rita from philippines

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Specializes in neuro, critical care, open heart..

just read your story!! it's a sad day when pt safety and common courtesy for your co-workers is not a priority!! but the comment about the nap brought back a recent memory. I was working in a LTC facility on the 7p-7a shift with another RN. we each had two wings each. I had been running my butt off taking care of my patients and answering questions from the CNA's on her wings. It was about 2AM and she propped her feet up on the desk and went to sleep!! Luckily I had a box of ammonia inhalants in my backpack (I worked the neuro unit at the local hospital at the time as well) needless to say, I popped one and stuck it up her nose!!!! she was awake the rest of the night!!!!:rotfl:

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that is the coolest thing ive ever heard.hehehhehe anyway, good for her that u brought something to make her awake during the duty

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

Hey 42051

I about fell off my chair laughing.. wish I had thought of that!

I have,however, had a good thing happen at work.... I no longer work in the aforementioned department sooooo tonight the night supervisor sought me out and asked me for details (I showed her the video on my camera).... she said the culprit should have been fired immediately and told me that she had gone through the dept tonight (they do walk-throughs) and found the village idiot laying on a stretcher watching TV.... no patients but still, not professional behaviour! I feel somewhat vindicated!

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