Constantly being put in triage or fast track

Guest219794 · Feb 19, 2020

I don't know what a PCC is, but have you tried talking to this PCC? "I like helping the team however I can, but I feel like I am spending a lot of tie in triage and fast track. Could we try to balance things a bit?

Something like that.

Stella_Blue · Feb 19, 2020

A PCC is what our charge nurses are called. I have tried something along these lines with them and the manager, but it just feels like I'm a broken record. I generally get "well these are our needs at the moment so this is the assignment you get."

In retrospect I will see them change assignments for other nurses so they can not spend so much time in triage especially.

HandsOffMySteth · Feb 19, 2020

If you have already talked with the manager and charge nurse about it I don't think there is anything else you can do short of leaving. Time to decide if you are willing to accept those conditions or leave. One more thing, the current situation will probably change if you stick it out for a bit. It might take some time though.

I had to work in unfavorable conditions under a new manager and ended up leaving. I got along great with my old manager but the new one was clueless. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

JKL33 · Feb 19, 2020

You can try addressing it head on in the moment as well. I don't love that option but it's what other people do and the ones who don't get the short end of the stick often enough. If you're going to try it be resolute. "I was just in triage for 12 hours yesterday. It's someone else's turn." Don't be pathetic about it.

speedynurse, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Feb 22, 2020

This might be a compliment to be placed in triage or the fast track area. Many times, the newer nurses are placed in the regular block assignments, while the more experienced nurses are placed in triage (or fast track because they can handle that area and float to help their coworkers). This has happened to me a few times. You could always turn it into a joke and say something along the lines of "I am going to forget how to take care of the super sick patients!"

InHisImage, BSN · Feb 25, 2020

Keep your log and try the suggestions given here, but if you think your assignments are becoming punitive, and if you belong to a union you could try talking to your union rep to see if there’s any way they can help you out.

DisheartenNurse · Jul 2, 2022

Did you take the above advice?

gere7404, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2022

Mid-shift usually gets assigned support roles at the ERs I've worked at; you're either helping in triage or fast track like you're experiencing, get stuck opening hallway bed zones where you can fit them during surge times, or go around breaking people for lunch.

Very rarely do I see our mid-shifters get a normal zone because then people will have to shift around and pick up their zone when they go home in the middle of night shift.

LubbDubb77, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2022

I would just ask to switch it up and ask to take a regular assignment. In my ER it wouldn't be that big of a deal to get tired of taking the same assignment everyday and ask for something different. I am a mid-shifter 1200-0030 and I end up kind of all over the place depending on the staffing. Either triage, PIT/PAT, float, or if staffing is bad I take a regular assignment - if it's really bad I end up taking one of the trauma bays. But when I was on dayshift 0600-1830 I would get a regular assignment everyday. So, I think specific assignments just work out smoother depending on your shift.