4-hour Floating and Assessments - page 2

1. 
   Jun 24, '13

   Happy to support you in your endeavor to learn. The Socratic method will help you learn to problem solve in the future. I don't think validating the wrong course of action is supportive.
   
   You stated you did not assess a group of new patients and want some direction on whether that was the right course of action. I can't imagine why you would need our opinion unless you had already been told it was not the right course of action. I tried to frame my questions so you can come to that determination for yourself.
2. 
   Jun 24, '13

   Im a new nurse and it was drilled into us that we HAVE to assess our patients even if we are caring for them for a short period of time. I would NEVER.trust another nurses assessment when im taking care of a patient. And I would never base something I was unsure of on what another nurse says they do. Big nono. I think that by not assessing a patient, it is going against our standard of practice. How would a nurse know what a patient needed without assessing first no matter the time length. Just because a RN has good insurance doesnt mean they cant be held responsible for something that hapoens. Ive seen licence taken away promptly for substandard care.

   Last edit by MendedHeart on Jun 24, '13
3. 
   Jun 24, '13

   Quote from AWanderingMinstral

   I also invest in the maximum malpractice insurance.

   Seriously? That might be comforting to you, but it is not comforting to me to have such a nurse taking care of my mother. Think about your mother in the care of providers taking shortcuts.
4. 
   Jun 24, '13

   I think there is a difference between not assessing a patient and not fully documenting a full assessment in the form the facility uses for assessments.
   I always assess my patients no matter how long of a shift with them. The last hospital i worked at allowed a focuses assessment instead of complete documentation for four hours.
   I could be wrong but I am assuming that the original poster assessed her patient, but did not due a full head to toe assessment on each patient and did not document as such. That to me doesn't equate with not assessing her patient and providing substandard care. Does every nursing interaction no matter the time frame require a full head to toe? Must you check the 18 year old in for external fixation of their arm who report said was walking the halls for past 2 days and erw
5. 
   Jun 24, '13

   You passed meds without doing an assessment? It's been awhile since I was a bedside nurse, but that seems pretty risky to me.
6. 
   Jun 24, '13

   And great bed mobility be checked for All systems complete head to toe? I don't think it is necessary and it is a fair question what others do for documentation for a four hour shift.
7. 
   Jun 24, '13

   i know others have said it, but i have no idea why the amount of malpractice insurance you carry has to do with the price of beans. Does that give you the right to be an unsafe nurse, and rely on the assessments of your co-workers to allow you to care for patients? Kinda scary if that is the premise you are working by.
8. 
   Jun 24, '13

   I float frequently (about once a week) from 7p-11p. I always do an assessment but it does tend to be more focused. We also do not have to do quite as extensive charting for a 4 hr shift, but are required to chart system assessment & for pain. If surgical, I'll chart a wound/drain assessment as well, & I always do I/O for all pts. But otherwise, IVs, foleys, pca, education, care plan, etc. charting isn't required. If there would be a significant issue with any of these though, I would add it as well.
9. 
   Jun 25, '13

   I do quite a few four hour shifts and I always do and document the assessment. Without an assessment, you don't really know your patient. In ICU, where I work, assessments are frequent.
   When giving a report to the next nurse, I can report my own findings.
10. 
    Jun 29, '13

    I work ICU...No matter which area you work in, it's ALWAYS best to ASSESS!!!! Anytime you pick up a new patient, that is NEW to YOU...you need to give them the 'once over'....CYA, my friend!!!! I have also floated to various and sundry areas and every time I get my new peeps, no matter for how long, I assess them. You never know what you might find that the other nurse missed or something new....I would not care what the 'policy' is....I just do it Hope that helps!!! Keep on ASSESSING and you'll NEVER be GUESSING
    Good luck!!

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