Dear Boss....

Published

Dear Boss,

When you hired me, you hired me to provide top notch patient care. I do that. I love that. I love every aspect of my job. There is nothing more fulfilling to me than taking care of those in their last days. With that said, I challenge you to interfere with my patient care. Patient care is ALL that I am about.

Here are some things for you to consider:

1. My patients come before laundry, cleaning toilets and any other house keeping chores, period. DO NOT expect me to drop the hand of a dying patient and walk away to wash or fold a load of laundry. That laundry can wait, my patient wont.

2. Don't expect me to stop feeding a helpless patient just because they are taking a bit longer and the trays haven't been returned in sufficient time. I will return the trays at MY PATIENTS CONVENIENCE, not that of the kitchens. The only reason that we have a kitchen staff is because we have patients and the patients come FIRST.

3. Do not threaten to write me up for not taking my breaks on time. I will not leave the side of a fall risk patient until I am satisfied that they are safe. I will take my breaks at MY PATIENTS convenience. Thank you very much.

4. Don't preach to me about patient safety when I have come to you several times about alarms not working and you have done nothing to ensure that they get fixed. And don't ask me why the patient is lying on the floor with half of the alarm still attached and why it never went off. I told you why, fix the problem. I am within inches of inviting a state safety investigation.

When I hired in, you were impressed by my will to advocate for my patients. You expect me to keep up my end of the bargain and I expect for you to keep up with yours.

Thank you,

The Patients Advocate

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Two thumbs up on this post. I am sure a hundred other nurses will add a hundred other things.

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Specializes in Med-Surg., Agency Nursing, LTC., MDS..

Excellent ! I love it ...

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Specializes in LTC, office,hospice inpatient.

Well said ! I am so tempted to post it at work, especially the part about trays and the kitchen. Thank you!

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Specializes in RN in LTC.

I could not have said it better!:yeah:

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

OMG the kitchen comment hit the nail on the head for me---as when did the kitchen staff get to trump the nurses opinion in pt care----.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

nicely put. i like your dedication and "spunk". hope this letter helps. :yeah:

praiser :heartbeat

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Specializes in cardiac, psychiatric emergency, rehab.

It's amazing.... a 'helping' profession ! :) God speed!

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OMG the kitchen comment hit the nail on the head for me---as when did the kitchen staff get to trump the nurses opinion in pt care----.

The kitchen staff does not trump the nurses, or the aides. I have went around and around with them on this issue and I will persist. They can complain all they want, but for me, the complaints fall upon deaf ears. I just don't care. My primary concerns are my patients. I have had to wait numerous times for trays that have come to us late, as much as 20 minutes late. I have had to make numerous trips to the kitchen, interfering with patient care because items were missing on the trays or the wrong items put on the trays (fried chicken legs or bacon for the pureed patient). So their complaints do not cut it for me. I put many miles on my legs and feet because of their indescrepencies, so really, they can bite me. When I am at the bedside of a patient threatening to take their last breath, I could care less about those freaking trays. Period.

I will refuse to sign a write up should the threatened write up happen and if they wish to fire me, so be it. God led me that place because I am good at what I do and these patients need me. I am not perfect by any means, but I perfectly understand what my priorities are.

Sorry this has turned into a book, I have very strong feelings on this and the other above mentioned issues at my work place. They can either take what I have to offer or leave it, but until I have to leave, I am going to take care of my people.

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

Please take care of me if I get sick.

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Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

Very nice!!! Two thumbs up. Can I have your permission to print this and post it at work? :up:

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Very nice!!! Two thumbs up. Can I have your permission to print this and post it at work? :up:

Sure. If it helps with patient care go for it

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