Doing Double Time!

[Chiaramonte]

Looking for some creative solutions re a precarious working situation...

I work in the ER at night in a community hospital that sees an average of 50-60 patients a day.

Our nightly census averages about 10-20 patients. Acuity level ,of course, varies but even though we are not a trauma center, being rural, we stabilize the trauma patient until they can be flown out to another facility.

My dilema is that on each shift there are 3 RNs staffed except on nights. Usually there is a lone MD working 12 hour shifts. This usually is not a major problem except when a certain husband and wife MD team work together on the floor. They are not only disorganized but when I come into my shift it looks like someone has kicked over the ant hill. People are scampering and running around trying to complete their disjointed orders. It's usually busy and 3 nurses are leaving the mess to this lone oncoming RN. Then you add the extra attending admission docs ... Do you see my quandry? I have an EDT and an occasional Paramedic available to help when he's not busy.

I am told when I ask my manager to schedule another RN on the nights there are two MDs working that there are not enough RNs to staff that way. They keep telling me that I'm doing a great job and being that since I am a "well seasoned"- experienced RN that they made the right choice in hiring me for this position.

I keep hearing " Hang in there, things will get better" But what does that actually mean?

I love the job and the people I work with. I go home frustrated every morning these two are on because they can't seem to coordinate all their orders and once you think you're ahead of the game, they add just one more order and just one more...and then you add a conscious sedation procedure to the mess...wow...I am exhausted just talking about it!

I have told them repeatedly that it is an unsafe environment even when I do double time to stay ahead of the game. It's not that I can't work under this stress it's just that I feel it's unfair and unsafe. If I'm doing the work of at least 2 nurses, I should get paid double, don't you think? Sure!! My husband, who is also an RN on a different shift in the ER can sympathize but the only solution he can come up with is to quit.

I hate to do that because it is convenient to be part of this hospital community that is only 3 minutes from home.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Tired RN!!

[sjoe]

"They keep telling me that I'm doing a great job and being that since I am a "well seasoned"- experienced RN that they made the right choice in hiring me for this position.

I keep hearing " Hang in there, things will get better" But what does that actually mean?"

It means that they have you pegged for a sucker. Wise up.