Hospital@night

zenman · Jan 8, 2008

I've worked in a hospital where they had an experienced nurse as a "crisis nurse" that was available throughout the hospital and were also part of the code team. I think it worked ok.

Other than that I don't think they partnered with a JHO.

gradcare, LPN · Jan 8, 2008

The buddy thing is informal, the idea is that the RN reviews the pt identifies things that can be done within the nurse's scope of practice and then assists the JHO where needed. The RN and the JHO act together as a team.

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jan 8, 2008

I personally am not familiar with set-up. However, I do have questions. Does the junior house officer answer to a senior who is in-house or is he the only physician physically present?

In theory, it sounds like this set-up would work. Not that the house officer doesn't know his stuff but many times navigating patient care management rules in a hospital setting requires the experience of someone who has been in the setting for a long time. The experienced RN can definitely fit the bill in this situation.

However, with the advent of the non-physician provider roles, many hospitals (at least here in this area) have tapped into hiring NP's and PA's alongside house officers. It makes it easier on the house officer to have a permanent resource person who already knows the ropes especially in situations where there is no senior physically present to answer to. It is also more advantageous that the non-physician provider can perform basically the same tasks so the division of labor is equal.

gradcare, LPN · Jan 8, 2008

there's a senior house officer on site (physician trainee) and there is always a consultant on call however there can be some reluctance to call the SHO or consultant on call.

BEsides it is a largish place with ICU and anaesthetics in house 24/7/365. That said there can be a severe workload since the place is covered by just the JHO and now the RN covering.