Non-ICU nurse pulled to your unit...

[askater]

How would you feel?

I've been a R.N. for 6 years. My nursing background is step-down nursing. (med/surg and cardiac) I've never dealt with ventilated patients.

My supervisor E-mailed us. She informed us when pulled to our "sister" unit CICU we cannot refuse vent patients.

I've been pulled twice to CICU. Neither time was I assigned a vent patient. I do not feel comfortable with vent and balloon pump patients.

A lot of unit nurses say caring for a vent patient is nothing. But I don't feel comfortable. I've had no education. And when the machine beeps, which they seem to do a lot I don't know what to do. My supervisor says there's an R.T. up on the unit...he'll take care of it. Sure there was a R.T. up there but not continuously.

I'm going to ask for info. on ventilator's. And read up on it. But working contigent it's hard enough for me to keep up with changes on my unit....let alone learning about vent patients in case the time should come.

Am I worrying about nothing????

[fedupnurse]

Hi Askater,

You have plenty to be worried about! I have 10 years of ICU under my belt. That's all I have done since I became an RN. Sending a step down nurse to an ICU is like sneding an ICU nurse to med surg or OB!! We wouldn't know what to do there! You have to be balloon pump certified to take a pump patient. My hospital does routinely pull staff from step down to the unit (and vice versa) and they do get vented patients. We fill out Short Staffing Forms to document the unsafe conditions and one of us watches out for the pulled nurse as much as possible. You can give them stable patients but they can circle the drain at any time-that's why they are in the unit.

I don't know if you are working in a unionized facility, I do. We can also complete an Assignment despite Objection form. It has the date, time, supervisor's name and the general conditions of why you feel you cannot safely take the assignment. It is important to CYA. If something happens the suits will all play dumb and say "the staff never said anything". You can also document it by submitting a professional, matter of fact type letter to the manager you work for. After working with people in the same position you are put into, I can tell you, it is scary for everyone!

Good luck!

fedupnurse