Very Frustrated - does this sound safe?

[Roseyposey]

Maybe I'm over-reacting, but here's the scenario for the last two days:

I work on a surgical floor (we get some med overflow, but mostly surgical - lots of Roux-en-Y, hysterectomies, abdominal type stuff). Anyway, we've had 5 patients per nurse, one aid (for 25 patients) for about 1/2 the shift and a unit secretary for about 1/2 the 12-hour shift. We do not have a charge nurse because we've been told that "relation-ship based care" practice entails each nurse taking all of their own orders and rounding with each doctor (which doesn't happen - we're too busy). We have many patients getting blood, tons of diabetics, tons of iv abx and pain meds - very very busy. Is this normal? I bring up my concerns to my supervisor, who just shrugs her shoulders and says essentially that it's just the way it is and nothing will ever change and if I don't like it, I can quit. Anyway, back to my original questions: is this normal? does this sound safe?

[mosin46]

sounds typical and grossly unsafe. the other posters seem to think that refusing to ignore patient care and monitoring to do public relations,secretarial and ancillary functions is the way to go. i agree. administration hearing a bunch of complaints about that stuff sliding probably won't work. but at least you have kept your focus where it belongs and haven't compromised yourself by letting the load get dropped on you and your co workers.

[caliotter3]

I agree with the other posters, particularly steelcityRN. Your supervisor has told you if you don't like it, quit. If you quit, they will surely replace you. Try to hang in there and get as much experience as you can. At some point, start looking to broaden your horizons. When the time is right, then you might consider moving on.