Or maybe it was a nurse who doesn't usually work ICU and was already in over his/her head? Some units will pull nurses from stepdown when they're desperate with the intention of only giving them "walkie-talkie" patients, but we've seen how that sometimes works out...
It is common for CVICU nurses in my area to have two patient that are are both on ventilators and multiple stacks of drips each. You know you're going to be busy when you discover that you've got ~ a dozen IV drips total to swap out the bags and tubing because they outdate on your shift. Better get 'crack'n!
2 pts. and each of them is on Levo, is a great assignment for me. H--- I have had 2(vented pts. on levo.dopa, epi, blood sugar checks every hour. Alot to do about nothing, some people will always create a nightmare out of any assignment. You give them 2 pt.s on NS and they're screaming
LOL! the registry nurse was being lazy or didn't know what the hell she was doing(the more likely case). we all(icu) have had plenty of nights where both patients are on Norepi gtt's. its not that big of deal. i think you are going to find that while there are some awesome Registry Rn's out there, quite a few oversell themselves and can be quite dangerous....
I can't understand how the RN had any say in whether to accept the transfer or not! Our charge nurse, the bed control nurse and the triage MD make those decisions. The receiving nurse is not even involved. Just saying . . .
well you can always refuse an assignment(i have yet to try this), but i would if, say they tried to give me a 2nd patient with a CRRT or IABP or Fresh heart....
i too find this is funny! I've had a 2 pt assignment when one pt was on levo & vaso while the other was on dopa & levo! Glad that admin stepped in to oust such a lazy disgrace...
Clearly, an ICU nurse can handle 2 patients on drips, vents etc.... but the documentation becomes a nightmare because CMS expects perfect charts such as restraint documentation. We utilize online charting and the detailed charting is ridiculous. Oh and ALL the Interruptions...24 hour family presence.... residents who can't carry their weight. I really feel they want a perfect chart but whether you do the care or not doens't really matter. It's a very scary at the bedside sometimes.... when I see a nurse charting at 0805, has 2 patient assignmnet.....so what care did they provide.....did they even turn the patient. Interesting how oral care, a basic need, has been researched and proven to be important but you find the toothbrush still in plastic and the patient has been in the unit for 3 days. But it is charted as completed.
Nccity2002, MSN, RN
208 Posts
I will give that ICU nurse the benefit of the doubt...
Maybe the reason why she refused the new patient was because her other patient was very unstable??
Just saying...