unsafe

cargal · Oct 29, 2002

See:

http://www.oregonrn.org/unsafestaffing.php

and https://allnurses.com/jump.cgi?ID=1138

Blessings,

Kayzee · Oct 29, 2002

I have just done orientation on a med-surg floor. I loved all I was learning, but it became so hectic I couldn't comcentrate. I'm 50 and maybe my bod just can't take that abuse anymore. Now looking into other positions with less stress, and more time to spend with pts. And your absolutely right..it is unsafe..not only for the pt, but also for the nurse.

Jenny P · Oct 29, 2002

Shannon, you don't say what state you are in, but here is the site for Minnesota Nurses Association;

http://www.mnnurses.org/

go to the Nursing Practice sidebar and click on it; there are directions on filling out a form that you can download also there. You don't have to fill this out BEFORE the shift, but you should notify the supervisor ASAP about it. There is a difference between heavy patient loads, unsafe staffing, and dangerous nursing practice. MNA has 2 different form on this site to fill out; check and see which is appropriate for you.

If you come on the unit and find that you have an assignment that will put your nursing license in jeopardy, DO NOT ACCEPT REPORT! Call the supervisor right away and say that you cannot take this assignment because of this and if she doesn't find extra staff for you, you WILL LEAVE. You are not abandoning your patients because you have not accepted the assignment; you will not be putting your license at risk (I've read through most of the Nurse Practice Acts about this, but you might want to review it for your state; go to

http://www.NCSBN.org and type in "patient abandonment" in the search area, then find your state.). Please read your Nurse Practice Act and also the information at the NCSBN site so you know your rights.

I'm always amazed at how fast an extra body is provided when this is done; your co-workers probably will be very angry with you if you do leave, but tell them how they can do it also and then ENCOURAGE them to do it to get help also.

If nurses would band together on just this one point, we could do away with most understaffing problems.

shannonRN, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2002

thanks for the responses. i'm in indiana. last night i was the only floor rn. we had 2 float rns and an gn from our floor...for 33 patients. no aide!! it was awful. midnights was staffed better than our 3-11 shift.

i can't imagine walking out in a situation like that. i spoke with our supervisor and she basically said deal...it is like that housewide and by the way here are 3 admissions. in addition to our 4 fresh surgicals. gotta love med-surg. :rolleyes:

i will definately check out all of the sites that you guys have mentioned. if anyone else has any words of wisdom please share!!

Jenny P · Oct 30, 2002

Shannon, THAT is dangerous staffing! I'd walk out before I agreed to work like that! I have never had to walk out before, they always found extras for me because they knew that I would leave if I didn't get the staff. My supervisors know I don't bluff. 3 RNs and a GN for 33 patients is asking for trouble (in my book at least); and 2 of the 3 RNs being floats is even crazier! With that supervisors' attitude, I'd find a new job!

shannonRN, BSN, RN · Oct 30, 2002

jenny, that is the problem. we just had 3 nurses leave including our manager. so right now we are in the midst of a change...which is why i said that it was bound to get worse before it got better.

i tried checking out indiana's website but could find nothing. if any of you computer savy people can find a link, that would be wonderful. i do have a copy of my practice act. requested it the day i found out that i passed boards! will have to find it and wipe the dust off.

Jenny P · Oct 30, 2002

Shannon, the NCSBN site is the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and they have the Indiana laws listed there. I hope you have the most recent Indiana Nurse Practice Act; if it's dusty you may need a current copy!

Maybe you could call a staff meeting of the nurses on your floor and together sign a petition saying you will refuse to work short staffed from now on, especially since you do not have a nurse manager to help you at this time. If all of you sign it and turn it in to Nursing Administration, they might start paying attention to your needs. I'm sure that they won't fire a whole floor of nurses; it sounds like they need all of their floors functioning at full capacity.