Unsafe Staffing

Nurses Career Support

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Specializes in Cardio/Pulmonary.

Hey Everybody, I need some assistance.

Here's my deal - I graduated last spring and spent a long time looking for a job - it came down between two hospitals. One hospital is one that is five minutes from home and the other is a very large teaching hospital an hour away from my home. I ended up taking the job at the hospital five minutes from my house on a cardiopulmonary/telemetry unit and am just about off orientation now. The staff so far has had such a horrible turn over rate and the management increases nurse-pt ratios on daylight with NO call offs and no supervisors will take assignments.

A very good opportunity has arisen at this teaching hospital for a very coveted intensive care unit position (my dream). What would you guys do? I feel SO bad because all the nurses on my unit that I work on now talk about how nurses leave all the time and how nobody can tough it out - but it feel sooo unsafe!! I know it's good to get this experience first, but it just feels awful to have an nonsupporting staff and such... I also have to consider that if i leave this job right off orientation, chances are I will be "burning bridges" :///

Ughh.... What would you guys do ?? :/

Thanks in advance!!

:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

Dream job sounds like a good idea.. Rather have a dream job than one where I have to tough it out lol

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Take care of yourself!

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

You're not doing yourself any favors by being the one nurse to tough it out at a hospital that everyone else is leaving, especially as a new grad -- if the "dream job" has actually been offered to you, in writing, I say go for it!

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, Med Surg.

I graduated a year ago and it took me a very long time to find a job...and I was in a very similar situation as yours. Basically, I left a miserable FT psych job off orientation for a per diem CCU/med surg position an hour away.

I too struggled with the "burning bridges" feel to it all, but it all came down to this: employers have no loyalty to us anymore. While I feel responsible to my coworkers and am grateful for all opportunities, the truth is any hospital would drop any one of us in a heartbeat if it interfered with profits/PG scores/etc., regardless of the quality of our work, time invested and working relationships forged.

And...think about your quality of life. It's understandable to hang on to a crappy job in this economy, but why not apply for that dream job and see what happens? The worst they'll tell you is 'no'. You can keep your crappy job while you look for that next opportunity, all the while raking in more experience.

Don't worry about your coworkers too much - if their idea of "toughing it out" involves unsafe staffing, then you don't want to be there anyway...

Good luck!

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If it is offered, take the 'dream job'. Write a very positive note of resignation, thanking your manager for the wonderful opportunity you have had.

Best wishes!

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Specializes in L&D.

If I were in your shoes, I know I'd feel the same way. As a new grad (and scared to death I wouldn't have more than one offer!) I had accepted one position this summer - and sure enough, a week later I was interviewed offered my DREAM position. I felt horrible calling the first place I accepted the job at - but in the end, it IS business and you must look out for yourself. Lord knows that when push came to shove, these places wouldn't put second thought into nixing any of us!

Good luck with everything - take the new job. It sounds as though it will be a better environment for you as a new grad :)

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Specializes in CICU.

just curious what ratios you are working with on the current unit.

Just want to add, although I say go for your dream, remember that the grass isn't always greener at the other hospital - sometimes it is simply a different shade of brown...

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Specializes in Cardio/Pulmonary.

Do-Over

Hello, I work on a Cardio/pulm/tele unit. On daylight my ratios are 4:1, evening 5:1, and night 6:1. Today the manager put ratios at 5:1 on daylight for our three newest nurses off orientation. I'm sure she didn't put any hep/nitro/pressor drips on these girls, but still... ugh.

And that's my worry about the grass being brown on the other side too. My friend works at this icu (it's trauma icu) and she really loves it so far. it's three twelves compared to the 2 eights and 2 twelves (woo)!

thank you for the reply D0-Over

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Sounds like pretty good ratios to me. Most places are more. The ratios you shared are the same at my facility, sometimes more.

You should go for the dream job. Good luck!

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Specializes in CICU.

We do 4:1 days, 5:1 nights. sounds like a similar floor.

It was REALLY overwhelming for me too, at the start. It did get better as I got more experience and confidence. I had a lot of support, although there were many situations when I felt unsafe.

Only you can decide what is best, but don't be discouraged if you feel similarly overwhlemed at the ICU - its normal when you are new. Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, Med Surg.

We're also 4:1, maybe 5:1 on days and up to 7:1 nights (although 7 is rare) at our hospital.

As a new grad, I struggle with it at times, but I'm getting better (I think...).

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