Do you ever feel like you short-changed someone?

[RNMarykay]

Hello,

I am a relatively new nurse tech on a critical care/long term floor. My RN's have up to 4 pts at a time and I have 10 (supposedly not more than that but I 've had 13!). Some of our pts are on vents, most have multiple issues, peg tubes, various wounds and recovering from surgeries, a couple with brain injuries, and maybe one or two walkie-talkies in for shorter visits. So - intense!

I am struggling with the feeling like no matter how hard I work - and I do work hard, we all do! - I will never have a day that I don't feel like I short changed someone by the time I leave. It is common to walk into a room and not leave for 30-40 minutes depending on what is happening with cleaning someone up, changing positions, doing vitals/accuchecks for everyone can take up to 90 minutes with all the isolation gowns and whatever else has to happen in a room, etc....But some people don't get a decent bath, enough attention for feeding (hurry up!), whatever...

Part of it is chasing down the right gear - we struggle to stay stocked with PPE, trash bags in the cans, linens in the clean linen room even though we are talking to all the right depts about getting those things ordered and in stock. It takes extra time our of every day!

Now my nurses don't complain - they are awesome and they realize I've got 10+ pts to their 4 and they know I am working my tail off and am a good tech- but I know they are working just as hard as I am all day and we often work together on a task. Like me they are often charting at the end of the day and staying beyond their 12 hour shift.

I have been seriously considering nursing school, but sometimes I wonder if I will ever adjust to this feeling like I just can't get it all done and walk out feeling a little defeated instead of proud of how well I cared for my pts all day.

If you have ever felt like this I would love to know how you dealt with it.

Thanks a bunch,

g:crying2:

[fiveofpeep]

I've learned that nursing is 24 hour care.

Good luck!

haha we're on the same page

[maxthecat]

Please understand that you are doing the best you can in a system that sets you up to fail. Yes, your patients probably are not getting the quality of care they deserve on a consistent basis. But that is not your fault. You can only do what you can do. The people who should have trouble sleeping at night are the ones who make the decisions to cut staff and support services to the bone, yet pretend that care will not be affected. "Just work smarter." Well, at some point basic care WILL be affected, and it won't be because staff don't know how to prioritize or just don't care, it will be because what is expected is NOT HUMANLY POSSIBLE.

Yes, as you gain experience you'll become faster and more effecient and effective. Yes, nursing is a 24 hour a day job and tasks can be passed along. But they can't be passed along every day, forever. And the decision makers stand by and point out nursing care's shortcomings, and patients and families rightly complain they are being neglected, counting on nurses to take the blame on themselves and/or blame their fellow nurses, and believe that somehow they (nurses) are just not trying hard enough.

Don't feel guilty. If anything, feel angry---but don't let the anger eat you up. Look for ways to work with other nurses around this country who are looking for ways to change the system so that nurses once again have the time and support to provide excellent care. Excellent care in reality, not as a slogan in an advertizing campaign.