I didn't accept the keys.....

Well, I finally did it. I refused to take report/keys in a LTC/Rehab facility that is critically understaffed. Here's the deal. I was hired as a night shift RN supervisor. Almost immediately after I started the DON who hired me was fired. That left no DON for two months, also no administrator. By the third month, with all the call out's, no shows, and people quitting, I was floating between all carts full time. And STILL expected to be supervisor when needed. So last night was the final straw.

This is what I was set up for:

30 pts on THREE halls

5 IV's

2 med passes

4 skin checks

30 full assessments (no one actually does these they just copy the previous)

30 nsg notes

30 chart checks

pain pills all night

and by the way CHANGEOVER so 30 MARs and TARs.

All in an 8 hour shift.

The two regular nurses both called out so that left me (totally unfamiliar with the pts, and the MARs), and a day shift nurse helping out, to do the work. The company REFUSES to call in agency, and no one else was willing to come in and help.

So, I called the new DON, left a message, hugged all the nurses I enjoyed working with, and left. That was 8 hours ago and I am still STEAMING. How is anyone expected to get good nursing care under those conditions? How is a nurse supposed to make safe decisions under those circumstances?

Still so angry I could SCREAM! But sad because I loved my job.

sniff.