This situation is weighing quite heavily on me so I'd like to get some advice. All responses, no matter how brutally honest, are much appreciated. Sorry for the long post. Here goes....
My evening consisted of 5 patients of my own (2 vents & 1 on 3 critical gtts). I was also responsible for covering the LPN's 3 patients that all required frequent IVP narcotics, IV antibiotics, am labs, and 1 of hers was on a vent. So I'm responsible for 8 patients.
Charge nurse had 7 patients. Several vents/critical gtts. LPN had 7, 3 of which I was essentially responsible for. 1 aide that spent the entire shift in the restroom, breakroom, anywhere but the floor.
Administration was called several times. No one returned our calls.
We barely make it through the night. I check the schedule for the next night & realize that myself, the same charge nurse, and a LPN are on the schedule. No attempts have been made to contact agency even though scheduling has known for 4 weeks we were short on this night. While leaving the charge nurse informs me that she will not be coming in the next night due to the awful night we had just had. So that leaves myself and the LPN tomorrow that would be responsible for the 19 patients.
I call the next day to see what staffing is like. I'm told it's me & the LPN. The charge nurse called off. They left messages for agencies but none have called back. They also left several messages for administration, but they haven't called back either. So I call back 2 hours before shift starts & it's the same situation. So knowing the ridiculously unsafe night ahead of me, I too called off. I've been a nurse for 18 months & the previous night was my worst night. I never let things get to me, but I allowed myself to lose control and cry. I just felt so overwhelmed...I felt I couldn't give my patients the care that they deserve. I couldn't knowingly walk in to the same situation again the next night, especially being a new grad and not having a resource.
Am I wrong for calling off? Am I not a team player? I feel sick stressing about this? Please advise.
It probably wasn't the best idea to call off, although I don't blame you. No nurse, no matter how experienced you are should ever have to deal with that kind of mess. The charge nurse was definitely wrong in telling you flat out that she was calling off because of the staffing.
I can't really say anything though, I called off today too. I have been sick with a wicked sore throat and cough. I knew that our staffing stunk tonight, we were supposed to get 13 post ops on the floor I was to work on. But I just couldn't fathom working again sick. We have a stupid call off policy, you can only call of 3 times in a rounding year. I felt bad about calling off but I didn't think it would be the best idea for me or my patients to work while sick.
I'm proud of the OP. She called off, owned her reasons, and gave TPTB a much needed kick in the rear. She is willing to stand her ground and take the consequences. I'd like to work with someone like her. She's a mensch.
Just my two cents but don't listen to the bull about coming in for the patients sake or for anyone elses sake. At the end of the day its a JOB....and you need your LICENSE. The admin knew it was that way for weeks and didnt care. I wouldnt have called and checked in I would have just called out . I'm not gonna put my license or my neck on the chopping block for the greater good of the pt, LPN, facility. While I would feel bad for the LPN, I have to put myself first and protect the only thing I have going for me...MY LICENSE. As a matter of fact I would have just quit. I can get another job but I cant imagine standing before the board to try and explain why I took a load of 19 pts knowing its not safe. And the facility will be all too happy to roll you under the bus if something happened to any of the pts. Trust me, you did the right thing.
belle87RN
40 Posts
It probably wasn't the best idea to call off, although I don't blame you. No nurse, no matter how experienced you are should ever have to deal with that kind of mess. The charge nurse was definitely wrong in telling you flat out that she was calling off because of the staffing.
I can't really say anything though, I called off today too. I have been sick with a wicked sore throat and cough. I knew that our staffing stunk tonight, we were supposed to get 13 post ops on the floor I was to work on. But I just couldn't fathom working again sick. We have a stupid call off policy, you can only call of 3 times in a rounding year. I felt bad about calling off but I didn't think it would be the best idea for me or my patients to work while sick.