Today I actually broke down during sign off report. (long)

[JessicRN]

I have 30 years of experience and 15 in the ED and today I cried. The day was crazy to begin with with really sick people but that was not the problem. I had a pt in 4 pt restaints who was said to be +etoh and paranoid schiz. I noticed he was without any watch and he was tied in such away if he moved an inch he would have dislocated his elbow or shoulder and his feet and hands were very very red fronm the too tight restraint. (usually there was a one to one security watch but there was none at that time) I called and was told he was cleared from the watch I said that could not be because only security watches 4 pt restrained people and the patient can only be cleared if the restraints come off, they finally said theywould come. I waited 30 minutes and could not wait any longer and proceeded to remove the restraints because the pt was crying in pain and was not out of control. So togeth with an aid I removed 2 restaints and waited to see how the pt would react then if all went well I would remove the other 2. The security guard arrived and yelled that I can't only remove 2 restraints.(per our proticol this is what you do) she was so abrasive I called the supervisor. He came down agreed with me we talked and the security officer who apoligized and said she thought that was how I was leaving the patient. The next 5 hours did not go any better as My charge nurse said my admissions were being given to another nurse to handle and I was give 2 more patients both Suicidal drunk patients. who would also be on a watch. I got their clothes off and through them in the hall outside the room as I was more busy with my other critical patients one a septic pt who needed Dilaudid every 20 minutes and gastroview per J tube every hour.not to mention a full . One hour later I was told the RN who was doing my admission was taking a full load instead and the float was going upstairs to cordinate the admissions so the patients were once again mine. As it turned out my old patients had nothing done in that 2 hours as the nurse in charge of my patients took it upon herself to try to start someone elses IV. So now I had 6 patients, 5for admit 3 to work up still two of which are critical (sepsis and Hpertensive emergency). Again busy but still managable. While I was faxing a report to the floor I felt a tap on the shoudler. I turned around to find my psychotic pt 1/2 foot in front of me and security across the room (they thought it was OK) . Flash to 2 hours later it was noticed that one of my SI drunks was hiccupping and I was given a 3 SI drunk who was in the hall being watched. I went to give him his supper only to find he had his coat in his bed and a bottle of sprite sticking out. I picked it up and smelt it and it was gin. I brought it to the security guards attention and he said "I guess you did not do a good search. I then went to the other patient and again he had a the rest of the bottle of gin sticking out of his coat pocket. Again I went to security to be told you are responsible to make sure the patient does not get hold of his personal stuff ( apperantly while on watch the pateint went outside the room and grabbed his coat and the bottle of gin. I again called the security supervisor because I was so incenced and frustrated with this officers cavalier attitude and he said I was supposed to do the 15 monute checks not the officer NOT and I was responsible for making sure the patient did not have any possessions on his person. At this tiem I was ready to cry with frustration and then I found out my third drunk suicudal schizophrenic pt on watch eloped and the officer told the security supervisor it was my fault as I distracted him. By this time it was tiem to give report I started to give it and broke down and cried on the relief nurses shoulder (my friend). I left and drove home only to have missed my exit and had to drive another 20 minutes.

I did not want to came back today but thank god the day was much easier no idiot security

[JB2007, ASN, RN]

I am so sorry that you had such an awful day. You are not the only one who has had to have a break down during report. One day I had to go into the med room and cry for about five minutes before I could give report. Do something nice for your self tonight and get plenty of rest. I hope tomorrow is better.

[catshowlady]

That sounds awful. :icon_hug:

[Straydandelion]

Wow! Sounds like a day for a good cry! Hope you don't have many like that. When you can, I would suggest finding out the exact protocol of what security can and can't do then write them up if not doing their job.

[athena2005]

Hope that made you feel better. Try not to focus on that day, but the day when you made a tremendous difference in someone's life.

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

Wow! Sounds like a day for a good cry! Hope you don't have many like that. When you can, I would suggest finding out the exact protocol of what security can and can't do then write them up if not doing their job.

:yeahthat: Sorry you had such a bad day. I hope your days get better.

[Hacker]

Hi JessicRN,

I'm glad your next day went better. I'm a student nurse and often notice nurses crying or simply breaking down on many floors. It seems we have the ability to take more and more on our shoulders , probably because of our dedication to our job and patients.

Although my nursing experience is less than minimal, it seems like a good time to share your experience with your supervisor and find out an efficient solution, so this does not happen again. From your story, it sounds like that day was a constant battle, with a lack of support, empathy, and understanding from the staff (or simply plain dumb security member).

I really wish you the best and hope you will have a supportive and cordial staff to back you up next time.

Take care!

[Bugaloo]

Wow! What a day! Get some rest :)

[joyce294]

(((((hugs)))))

[sistasoul]

That sounds like a nightmare. Is it common practice to give one nurse three ETOHer's? These patients are extremely challenging. I graduated in May 2008 and am already questionong my decision to become a nurse. Nurses have too much put on them. People who are not in our profession have no idea what we have to deal with some days.

You did the best you could with little support.

[Scooter5]

Wow! What an awful day. Your work days have no where to go but up after that. Hang in there!

[Orenda]

I want to give you a big HUG!!!!