Huge volumns of patients

[EDRN1MEDIC1]

I work in a Leval II trauma center with 33 beds (2 trauma bays, 2 code rooms, and 7 bed express area included) we also have a 12 medical observation unit and a 11 bed Cardiac rapid diagnostic unit. My question is this.......... What do other hospitals do in time of crisis such as overrush of patients thru the front door and by EMS with staffing? We are usually overstaffed by 1 or 2 nurses but sometimes that is not enough to cover ICU holds, hall patients ect. Sometimes we absoultly CANNOT get extra staff to come in and help any suggestions?????

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

hello and welcome to allnurses.com

so good to have you with us.

i moved your thread to the emergency nursing forum for a better response.

hope you enjoy the site.

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

We just started offering $75 gift cards to staff if we are short and have to call to get more staff in. Works sometimes.

[angelinab]

I work in a level II trauma center that is crazy busy like yours. We usually don't have enough staff, and the wait time is ridiculous with numerous T&L's. I think this is a nationwide problem.

[greenjanell]

if all else fails, we call the department manager or the department charge nurse, they usually come in. i know that a lot of managers dont do that. and we have on call which in my opinion is just a loop hole for mandatory overtime.

[AmandaBrittainy]

if all else fails, we call the department manager or the department charge nurse, they usually come in. i know that a lot of managers dont do that. and we have on call which in my opinion is just a loop hole for mandatory overtime.

thats what I was thinking when our facility made it mandatory.

[meandragonbrett]

One of the hospitals around here is offering $300 (ER bonus only) bonus for every extra 8 hour shift you work (plus your OT pay and diffs). That's not just for ER, but for all over the facility bonuses are being offered.