been ease dropping again

[oramar]

Overheard conversation between two inservice educators. I work at a place where orientation is unit based, however orientation is overseen by nurse educators. They were saying that a particular new nurse needed more time before going steady night turn. They said that her med/surg unit never had more than one RN on nights even though the census occasionally was as high 24. Would it not be their ethical responsibility to point this situation out to managment as unacceptable? I had a sarcastic thought after I heard the conversation, "Gee, it is so noble of you to delay by a few weeks the handing over of this new grad to the wolves".

[eak16]

first of all: it's EAVES dropping

just a pet peeve of mine

second of all: this facility sounds baaaaaaaaaaad

RUN!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Eavesdropping again?

Actually, why not give the poor nurse a heads up about this and tell her sjoe's philosophy about not being taken advantage of? I know, that is terrible grammar.

steph

[nrsths1]

Wow, that would be easy for me...first I would find that new grad and give her the heads up...be professional of course and let her know what the dynamics of that floor are on nights and the professional liability to both her patient and herself that she will have. She may also want a nudge to confront the Med/Surg manager on the disturbing information she received (and not reveal her source). She may also want to orient on a few night shifts before comitting or giving up another position to see if this is what she wants. She may also want to take a look at the posted schedule for nights and check the census and staffing for nights passed and see for herself what really happens on nights. She can also talk to the night staff if she feels comfortable, and find out how many RN's vs LPN's were on and what the ratio was?? Was the acuity our the roof?? I speak from experience on this being the only RN on a night shift oh too many times with a "float" RN/House Supv that you never saw. And you overhearing this disturbing dialogue should submit a letter of concern if you have enough factual information to support your concern...because lets face it the patients must be protected and so should the license of a nurse. Sad that no one has addressed it yet. I've done it and I've not accepted assignments because the ratio was 10:1 or was climbing to that once on the floor. If the nurse doesn't say when then how will she/he explain that one in court? Hope that helps. Good Luck!!

[oramar]

Eaves, that makes the old saying make sense, always knew what it meant, never knew why.