Do I need a stronger backbone?

[GadgetRN71, ASN, RN]

This is pretty much just complaining on my part...

I'm an RN with a year of experience(other experience as a tech) and I'm working evenings..I think we do a pretty good job and we get cases moving quickly( a lot quicker than the day shift) but sometimes I feel like I'm not going quick enough for my boss's liking. I'm of the mind set that you shouldn't drag your feet but as the circulator, I have the responsibility and the right to check things over prior to bringing the patient to the room(obviously in an emergency-I haul butt;) ) Last week, I literally brought one patient to the PACU, and walked right into the next to take over for someone else. They were intubating the patient and it was a very difficult intubation so I went right to the patients side to help. Things proceeded but the person I took over for hadn't checked that there was a camera in the bottom of the cart-so I had to go running for it. This has happened multiple times. Also, one of the other nurses(higher on the food chain) will say "I'll check the room-go get the patient" That would be fine except on numerous occasions, the person saying this will have failed to bring something vital into the room. So, I've started putting my foot down and checking things before I get the patient. I think this is aggravating my boss, and it is frustrating. We're talking 5 minutes max to check that I have everything.. Any suggestions on how I can smooth things over and still be efficient?

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

I think I would talk to my boss and just tell her you're taking an extra few minutes to double check the room since several times you've been told by staff that they'll be sure the room is in order and it wasn't. Let her/him know that took more time waiting for the equipment to arrive than double checking the room yourself.

Keep being thorough. Best!

[boriquarn]

I agree w/the last comment.

Go to your boss and explain your view of the situation.

Even if you don't care to hear it- ask your boss what he/she would do differently.. that way you can find out what your boss is thinking about the situation and try to explain why you are doing this.

Stress to him/her that you are trying to promote patient safety and reduce any chances of incident or patient injury -Which would give your boss a bigger headache in the longrun!

I am with you girl, a little preparation goes a long way and it is better to be sure that everything is correct especially if your license is on the line!

Try to get into your boss's head and find out what he/she is thinking,then stress that you are turning over cases quickly but won't compromise patient safety in order to do so!

[ewattsjt]

I would agree with the other posts. Our facility gives the responsibility of room set up to both the RN and tech. They are both responsible for ensuring that supplies to do the case are readily available. It is for patient safety.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I'm not in OR, but our facility has a RED RULE.

Before surgery, a timeout is called until everything is confirmed before surgery to ensure everything is as it should be before the surgery begins.

Surgeon complains & cries? T.S.

The culture of safety is such that the surgery WILL NOT start before it should.

[passionate]

I hear you and agree with the chatter. Don't fall for the "I'll check your room"............that is the whole point--it is YOUR room and "they" are gone when something is missing! Stand firm.

[bifurcated]

Have you tried telling the "other nurses" to get the patient while YOU set up your own room. You need to flex your inner nurse muscle a bit more and take control of your room. You can go to your super, but I would start by telling my co-worker what I think. some people just like to see other's fail.

[passionate]

Sometimes you have that rare RN/Tech thing going where you think exactly alike and what a luxury that is!!!!!!!!