How many nurses do their own vitals???

OKRN · Mar 12, 2004

Where I work we have 1 nurse tech, sometimes 2 for over 35 critical care beds. We are stuck doing almost everything such as blood sugars, baths, taking the trash out, changing the bags in linen hampers. While our tech most of the time are off not doing anything.

tiredfeetED · Mar 12, 2004

In the ER, We do Everthing! Thats taking care of are Med/tele/ICU holds (Vitals, meds, briefs) Plus what ever comes thru the front or back door! :)

We have on Tech for our 18 bed ER, who spends most of the day doing EKGs and transporting pt to the floor...

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 12, 2004

have always done our own vitals in OB/GYN....i don't know, since we have to do a shift assessment on each patient as RN's I don't see vitals as a huge add-on to that. I worked where aides did them before and found it a real pain. They would often forget to report them to me---and sometimes out-of-norm vitals went unnoticed for hours by me. NOT a GOOD thing if you ask me. How long does it take to do vitals when you are already doing a shift assessment from head to toe anyhow????? Really?

Renee' Y-Y · Mar 12, 2004

I've always done my own vitals...I see them as another component of my assessment. I see some of the vitals that get charted by CNA's & am embarrassed some of those numbers even make into the chart.

wjf00 · Mar 12, 2004

NICU is primary care where I work, we do it all. Another reason I love working NICU, I know my numbers aren't for a patient in another room because I had so many vitals to write down I got confused.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 12, 2004

Since I usually don't have an aide, I do VS myself when I do my initial "quickie" assessments at the beginning of the shift. Whenever I am lucky enough (or have too many patients!) to have an aide, I'll have them do the vitals and FSBS, but I always check them........most of our CNAs are excellent, but since I'm the one responsible for those pts, I'm kind of anal about seeing things for myself. Nothing's more embarrassing than having the pt's doctor call asking for his or her most recent VS, and not even knowing if they have a fever (I learned this very early on in my career :imbar ).

Sadie04 · Mar 12, 2004

On my unit we usually do our own vitals, blood sugars, baths, linen changes, etc. We do "team nursing" with LPNs or CNAs. I like knowing what my temps and BPs are esp. when you're giving BP meds, it's easier than looking for the CNA to ask what the BP was.

Pitbullgirl · Mar 12, 2004

Hi,

I am working as a tech in an Emergency Dept while going through nursing school. I work very hard, as do most of the other techs. Here's my vent: a lot of the nurses in the ED have been rude and abrasive to me, and there's no excuse for that kind of treatment. I know the nurses are stressed, but I'm there too working just as hard, and I resent this type of treatment.

I wish the nurses, techs and docs would all understand that we're on the same side, and it doesn't help to alienate each other.

I'm sure there are lazy techs, just as there are plenty of lazy nurses. Sorry you have to get your own vitals, but what's the big deal?

MandyInMS · Mar 12, 2004

It's a pain in the orifice to have to get first vitals when working on a busy med-surg floor..I work nights and we have a CNA to get our first set most nights..but the nights we are short/have no CNA it SUX having to do them on 7-8 pts in addition to everything else that needs doing @ first of shift..puts me behind in doing everything..when I've worked on specialty floors with much fewer pts it was not such a big deal..but with that many? blehhhhhh...one more added stress I don't need.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2004

It would be nice if while you are expected to do more they lower your nurse-patient ratio.

They probably instituted this due to some complaint from a PCT. I think perhaps the RNs should also let management know how it's working out. Some teamwork and coopration is in order, or it will become an environment with RNs working their butts off, PCTs running the floor saying what they will and will not do. Good luck.

When I was a PCT short once, I insisted the PCT take the first set of vitals on everyone. Then I also insisted the nurse take the mid-shift vitals and do accuchecks etc. and do what they can to help the PCT out. The PCT also decided she didn't have to do any baths. So the PCT stood around while the nurses did the RN work and the PCT work. Not gonna happen again.

Good luck.

Anniekins · Mar 12, 2004

I too am a nurse tech on a very busy med-surg. floor. I am graduating this May and will be working as an RN on a very busy surgical floor. At my job as a tech now, the vitals are taken care of by us nurse techs/assistants every 8hrs, 4 or 2 if ordered or thought necessary. I am very good at doing the vitals first thing, and posting the sheet at the nurses station.

Also, I did my practicum this past summer on a busy medical floor. The aide's did all vitals, however, at some times, as someone had mentioned, its easier to take the vitals yourself, than to hunt the aide down before giving a med or calling the Dr. I just incorporate it into my head to toe assessment at the beginning of the shift......my assessments seem incomplete and I feel as if I don't have the whole picture if I dont. Whats it take 1 or 2 extra minutes tops?? For a peace of mind and a good strong assessment, its not that big of a deal for me.