working with little staff--suggestions?

Specialties Psychiatric

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

I know this is a common problem in all areas of nursing but in my situation it really seems to be critical....

Picture this: 36 pts. on Dual, one RN, 2 med nurses, 2 techs...

24 pts. on adult psych. one RN, l med nurse, 2 techs ( with 2 LOS)

Forget getting all the charting done, we don't have time to address all of our pts. c/o and/or problems that arise....

we have written and signed petition for management, our Supervisor has gone to administrator (he told her she may be happier elsewhere !!!!)

What is left to do???? Any suggestions from anyone???

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OMG!!! the ratio you described is downright dangerous for your pts. and the nurses on the unit....you need to get out of there, and fast....

sorry to be so blunt, but I see no other course for you to take...

wonder what JACHO would think about the situation??

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

Maybe get together and notify the newspaper or local TV news.

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Specializes in psych.

Try your state board of nursing for some direction, or how about starting a union? Contact regulating agencies like OSHA, JHACO, etc. It's a lot of work but hospitals pick up their act quick when JHACO comes around, the state investigates complaints, or when they are being sued for negligence or malpractice by patients and families (which is more likely given the dangerous staffing you describe). Or just get the staff to band together as a group and pressure the administration, or ask for a meeting with administration. I work with a woman who demanded a meeting with the CEO of our (admittedly small) hospital and let him know her mind. Whatever you do, get LOUD!

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Our working conditions are likewise tenuous. We are a union shop, SEIU. It doesn't seem to profit us any. I wish I had suggestions. It seems to be everywhere. Maybe getting out of the acute inpatient setting would be a better ticket. Less money perhaps. It's a matter of priorities. I'm thinking of all of my options too.

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

yes, it seems that they are trying to hire us help but no one stays..

We get new hires, they stay 2 weeks and are gone (because they are so short staffed ) we have had more than a dozen leave since Jan.

I think that is partially due to low salary, also....we are a private run institution so I don't understand why they don't pay us enough to encourage our staff to come in and new staff to stay....I had 2 call outs today and absolutely no one to come in and cover...I don't know what is going to happen....only psych hospital around so there is nowhere else to go if you want to remain in psych...

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Protect yourself!

Document, documen, document! Every shift that is shirt staffed.

A quick note to the supervisor in terms of

I am concerned about the safety of the clients and staff due to...

specify staffing, census, suicidal clients, demented clients requiring nursing close observation.... BEFORE the shift/as quickly as possible

You don't want to be the nurse explaining how John Doe hanged himself with his belt on the doorknob or how an incompetent female had sex.....

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

PsychRN Ohio----good advice, I will do that .......that may provide some protection just in case...and I will keep a copy for my...

Thanks!!

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.

I worked with an RN who documented when we were short staffed and actually sent a letter to the directors. She was terminated the following monday. They called her at home and said her services were no longer needed.

Sometimes it doesn't pay to speak up!

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

oh, my, and I was prepared to write my note of concern when I go in again and face 34 pts., one RN (me), 2 LPN's (med nurses) and 2 techs........what to do, what to do. I can't afford to get fired but I sure can't afford to put my license at risk due to inadequate staffing....

I think I will write that note anyway......whether it even goes any further than the nsg. supervisor at least my concerns will be known and documented.........

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.
oh, my, and I was prepared to write my note of concern when I go in again and face 34 pts., one RN (me), 2 LPN's (med nurses) and 2 techs........what to do, what to do. I can't afford to get fired but I sure can't afford to put my license at risk due to inadequate staffing....

I think I will write that note anyway......whether it even goes any further than the nsg. supervisor at least my concerns will be known and documented.........

I am sure not every place would resort to such extremes. Where I worked you either played by their rules are you were shown the door. I sure hope everything gets better for you. Just word your letter in a non-threatning manner and I am sure it will be okay. The best of luck to you!!!

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