Ever fill out an AUP?

[Genista, BSN, RN]

I was Lead today & we were short two licensed staff for dayshift. I was angry to say the least.

This kind of thing is getting very old. It seems to happen a lot on the weekends. Of course, my immediate supervisor gave the same song & dance about how "the whole house is short." Maybe it was, but that doesn't help me. But meanwhile, I was down one RN and one LVN. I filled out my 1st AUP (assignment under protest). I hear there have been quite a few filed at work lately. I may be filling out one tomorrow, too...we'll see.

How's the short staffing going for everyone else?

I'm wondering if the time will come that we have to strike!

[Cubby]

Never heard of an AUP! Does sound like a form I would like to have here though. Maybe that is why we don't have them--there would be massive amounts of these forms on a daily basis. Does that answer your question about the staffing shortage?

[Mattigan, RN]

What is an AUP?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

AUP = assignment under protest AKA as Asignment Despite Objection

Here's some info from Florence Project re use of form and example:

Assignment Despite Objection http://www.florenceproject.org/adodisclaim.shtml

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

Thanks for the link to the form, Karen. :)

[RNanne]

Thanks for the link--that was very informative. Man, I hate that when the supervisor says that the whole house is short! You are right, that just does not cut it. Why don't they validate your feelings instead!!! Saying "well, life is tough all over and even the ducks are walking, " doesn't make it in my book. I would a lot rather be told "Yes, it sucks.":chuckle than everybody is in the same boat so live with it!! There is another one that is awful too----Oh I know you can do it. You are so good at what you do. I speak right up and say, "Hey, that one used to work, but I am smarter now so don't tell me that one" LOL:roll

[adrienurse, LPN]

We do not have AUP forms. We do however have nursing workload forms that are extermely time consuming to fill out. I have filled out many, but have yet to see any sort of impact caused by their completion. I think they just get filed in a big old drawer somewhere.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I would think if you dont' have an AUP form, a incident/occurence report given both to the floor manager and house supervisor would be in order. Just make sure you make copies for yourself. DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT! This would be a good way to track trends and defend yourself later on if trouble ensues. Good luck!

[RNanne]

Just happened to think----does anyone see the ridiculousness of this. The problem of short-staffing is sooo pervasive that someone has devised a FORM. Yikes:eek: And then they wonder why there is a nursing shortage and nurses are taking early retirement!!!:chair:

[SmilingBluEyes]

yep, seen and noted. good point!

[thisnurse]

i learned something new today

[fedupnurse]

We call them Unsafe Staffing Forms. Fill them out all the time but the suits where I work don't give a rat's butt. Risk Mgmt did though and had a few beds clsed for a while on my unit. It was a nice break.

You may also want to look and see what hospital policies they are violating. Joint Commission and State DOH's require policies about staffing and bed closures dring staffing shortages.

It is also becoming more common for nurses to be excused from legal action when they have completed a frm. It puts the onus where it belongs: Squarely on the shoulders of mgmt./administration.