Why do I have to call lab to remind them of timed blood draws being drawn, well, on time?
Why do I have to call dietary to make sure the ordered supplements are on the tray?
Why do I have to call pharmacy to refill the Pyxis?
Why do I have to call supply to tell them that they smooshed two types of IVF together in the supply Pyxis and they need to sort it out?
A STAT imaging call to radiology is our job, but why do I have to follow up 30 minutes later?
Even if I'm busy, I have to check orders every 30 minutes because STAT orders are put in without a courtesy call to the nurse!
I wish, as an orientation exercise, every department of the healthcare team was required to shadow a nurse for a day. I think many eyes would be opened.
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
You must be kidding me! Are you a nurse? Have you read the whole thread? There's no reason an RT, PT or X-ray tech cannot put the patient's legs back in bed, plug in a bedside phone or hand the patient a kleenex, glass of water or straw. None of that requires a nursing education or a nursing license. The X-ray tech who is gowned and in the isolation room with a patient is just as capable of lifting the patient's legs into the bed as I am, and had better not be calling me to come in and do it unless he's also concerned that the femoral arterial line has become compromised. The RT who has just given the patient a breathing treatment and is now making him cough can hand him a kleenex, and if there's a concern that the phone isn't working, at least check to make sure it's plugged in. The phlebotomist who just interrupted dinner to draw blood can give the dinner tray back to the patient -- no need to call the nurse. And the Dietary Aid who trips over the visitor's purse can move it out of the way.
Yes, we are advocates for the whole patient, but some of the simple stuff that gowned and gloved employees refer to "the nurse" is ridiculous!
It used to drive me crazy to overhear dietary, RT and other departments say the pt. should call the nurse for something they could have done. You don't need a nursing license to get a pillow/blanket or refresh someone's water pitcher. When you do that, you reinforce the mentality that the role of the nurse is to just "go fetch."
In reply to post #82 (because I can't quote!). I don't know if they teach docs these days to take a blood pressure! I took a blood pressure manually in front of an intern, told him, then removed the cuff. Apparently, he didn't believe my reading. He decided to take it. i watched him, and I had to quietly reach over and turned the cuff right side up. He couldn't get it to inflate. I quietly reached over and closed the valve. Not sure if he took it correctly, but his reading was very close to mine. Imagine that!
I think "everything is our responsibility" because the "corporations" feel that since we are too expensive(NOT what I believe!!!) that we should be the catch all, dump-on blamed , etc. It's too bad.This is why nursing is a joke.
Or the people that come to the nurse's station and want to know what room someone is in (it's never even on your floor) and then you have to check the computer or call the information desk.
Half the time, the patient isn't even in our facility! They're at another hospital in a different city :-/
In reply to post #82 (because I can't quote!). I don't know if they teach docs these days to take a blood pressure! I took a blood pressure manually in front of an intern told him, then removed the cuff. Apparently, he didn't believe my reading. He decided to take it. i watched him, and I had to quietly reach over and turned the cuff right side up. He couldn't get it to inflate. I quietly reached over and closed the valve. Not sure if he took it correctly, but his reading was very close to mine. Imagine that![/quote']
I have had interns and residents take pressures themselves(it's still rare and surprising.) but never an attending:) They did it correctly.
You are beginning to sound like that person who started a thread a couple weeks back, who was like a med student or something coming to start some drama.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
For some reason, I am unable to quote, so this is in response to toomuchbaloney. While I understand what you are getting at, other disciplines are just as important to the care of the patient as nurses are. Without their pieces of the puzzle, the "whole patient" doesn't receive comprehensive care. That said, it is not unreasonable to expect them to do their jobs without us babysitting them every step of the way. Having to do so takes my time away from the direct care of the patient.
Quite right. It is not unreasonable at all to expect them to engage and provide care. I have been advocating for that pretty much my entire nursing career.
Heck, there was a time back in the early 80's when the hospital I worked for cut housekeeping and dietary staff. They simply expected that the nurses would scrub the tubs, make the beds, and pass/pick up trays.
I managed a critical care unit and did not require the nursing staff to comply. It was uncomfortable for me for a spell, for sure. (in truth it was uncomfortable for everyone as some things just didn't get done) I put my objections in writing keeping the needs of the patient front and center. Most of my colleagues were not so bold as me. The medical staff, however, were very supportive. The stand off lasted less than a month before the necessary support staff were restored to my department.
Similarly, when I am in a position with some authority I DO NOT tolerate other disciplines putting themselves before the needs of the patient. If the job is something they are trained to complete and they are capable of completing it they are expected to do so. PERIOD. I will go to bat to support nurses in that capacity each and every time.
All of that having been said, the nature and scope of our practice is what requires us to be accountable at some point for all aspects of the patient's care while in our unit/department. Whether or not we are called case managers we are the professionals who manage the overall care and treatment of the patient. It shouldn't but, too often does lead to abuse by other disciplines and even by management.
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
I think "everything is our responsibility" because the "corporations" feel that since we are too expensive(NOT what I believe!!!) that we should be the catch all, dump-on blamed , etc. It's too bad.This is why nursing is a joke.
Nursing is decidedly NOT a joke.
The way some employers treat nurses is most definitely NOT funny and too often is actually illegal and unethical.
When PT, OT, SS, let me know that my patient is requesting, juice, blankets, pillows, etc and I'm clearly in the middle of pouring meds or doing something else, I always direct them to where they can get---- for said patient and thank them in advance. The look I get is always surprise, but they generally do it.
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OCNRN63, RN
5,979 Posts
It used to drive me crazy to overhear dietary, RT and other departments say the pt. should call the nurse for something they could have done. You don't need a nursing license to get a pillow/blanket or refresh someone's water pitcher. When you do that, you reinforce the mentality that the role of the nurse is to just "go fetch."