Dangerous assignments

[brai9284]

Hello,
I would just like a little insight from a non biased group. I am currently an assistant manager on a busy labor unit. Higher ups in our organization have been pushing for more inductions and telling us we cannot refuse them even if we do not have the bed space for them. It’s  making for some very unhappy staff and unsafe assignments. I feel very stuck in the middle. Employees upset(rightly so) and upper management pushing it too far. I’m at the point that I want to just leave but I’m feeling guilty. I have 2 young children at home and don’t want to spend every day to cover staffing holes due to too many patients. 
Should I stay and hope it gets better or leave and find a better option? 
thanks 

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

OP:  Been there and doing it now with adults.  In any case, hang in there... Talk to your manager and listen to him/her explain the expectations.  Then you and the staff create the workflow to meet the goals that align with your manager's expectations.  This way, the staff has a big say in how their work is implemented and the goals are met per the expectations of upper management.  To show and explain your work, follow PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act).  GL!

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

I also would not hesitate to point out that you and your staff are the ones with licenses on the line if anything goes south with this grand scheme to maximize profit - which I am sure that is all that this is. (I wouldn't quite put it that way, but you get the general idea). I once lost out on a nurse manager position because I made it plain during the interview process that I was going to stand up for the staff and for doing what was right. They got their lap dog - who lasted for about three weeks and quit.

As managers who are not skilled in nursing, I am sure that they are looking at dollars versus time. They are what I call "spreadsheet managers".  Everything boils down to numbers - even when it doesn't. Compared to a conventional delivery, an induction is usually relatively quick, it is more easily scheduled, and it probably doesn't necessitate nearly as much overtime. It also allows for higher volume because of faster turnaround..