A horrible Day

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

Ok so the day starts out ok. We have 1 charge 5 lic (2 Rns and 3 Lvns) and 1 pca for 25 pts. Well 2 of the Lvns are new. Very new, just barely off of orientation. We are a very busy floor. We have been doing 2 charge and 6 lic and 2 pca's so we have been cut short recently with the flu crap going around. Well everything is going ok, I have seen all the pts I have to assess. All my pushes I have to do are done and labs are put up and dealt with. So come 230 I call to see if we are getting a unit rep. Nope sorry we don't have one. After 3 is when crap really gets busy. Its like they hold all the pts that need a bed until then. So I am charging, doing unit rep, answereing call lites cause all the others stay away or ignore it, and we start discharging people. of course the other 3 beds of our 28 bed unit have already been filled. 4 pts are getting blood and 2 new ones are getting plasma. Then all the ones who need ivp pain meds or nausea meds, and of course I am the resource for the new nurses so my name is always getting called. When I left at 745 there were 6 empty beds. I was most definately was going to refuse to take anymore pts if they tried. Our manager is excellent but she didnt stay to help(although she has been on the floor more than in her office lately so I kinda understand.) I am so tired of it. I even tried to transfer to another position but didn't even get an interview. I figured its because I am the only charge. The other nurse that charged requested not to charge(i think there were to many complaints) but that leaves it all on me. We trained an RN to charge but since the staff has dropped so much they always put her on the floor. At what point is money and benefits not going to matter anymore. I should be able to transfer but they won't let me. I have been there 10 yrs. Sorry guys I needed to vent. My pts definatley did not get good care today and i hate that I am not able to help each nurse the same. Some need more than others and the others that are more experienced get left behind to drown. I can't be everywhere at once.

[nyapa, RN]

Is there anyway you can bring this up with your charge? Or does she feel the situation is hopeless as well?

It sounds to me as if your charge should be advocating for the floor staff.

I really can't tell you if you should leave. But I would look at other opportunities if you are finding this situation untenable...

Jay

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

I am the charge. The manager is basically in the same boat. I even asked if they could block us and her response was "the ****(don) won't block any beds" I said "well then she can come work the desk". They basically just say deal with it.

[mmurphy]

As long as you guys continue to put up with this the moneymakesrs (Administration and Docs) will keep you going at this pace and work you like dogs

[CABG patch kid, BSN, RN]

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. Is there any way you can take it higher on your chain of command? If patient safety is at risk, is there a whistle blower number to call? At what point do you feel your license is at risk? I wish you luck and a good outcome in this situation :icon_hug:

[bollweevil]

As long as you guys continue to put up with this the moneymakesrs (Administration and Docs) will keep you going at this pace and work you like dogs

ITA. It is very, very hard but it is, unfortunately, on you to bring about change if you are the one being hurt by the present situation. I know it is painful but YOU must do it if it is to be done.

Sit down and think about what changes would make it better. Think of some solutions. Just brainstorm a little. The longest journey starts with but a single step.

Try to see what others think (like your manager). Develop some allies. Get together a platform of ideas. Present this to the powers that be. Go from there.

Try to be positive, have financial facts lined up. Never mind the human toll. They don't care about taht, unless they are a religious institution and then they will at least pay lip service to ethics and morality, value of human patients and workers. Most likely, though, they care about bad publicity and money, like most businesses.

If it goes well, great. If not, you will have to start thinking about unionizing. Or simply put your foot down now. Without muss, without fanfare, just refuse more patients. Demand and quietly take your breaks. Let patients wait, let nurses wait, let doctors and everybody else wait. You absolutely cannot be more than one place at once, nor should you even try to be. slow down to a human pace and let the chips fall where they fall. Don't even try to explain or be apologetic. you are human, you have limitations.