If I Hear One More Time........

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

"we called everyone and no one will come in, and there's no agency available you're running short staffed tonight." I'll just scream. Everytime someone calls in sick they can't be replaced.

Why in one ear are they telling me I'm going to be short staffed and the other telling me we're getting admits!. :angryfire

I refused to take admits, saying we are short and I need time to take care of the three I just got, so what do they do? They fax report, call housekeeping themselves and bring the patient under the direction of the supervisor. I'm so angry if I wouldn't loose my license I'd quit right now.

Thanks. I feel so much better. Now I'll go back to looking up that med I was looking up, but just wanted to scream to someone who knows what I'm talking about, you know?

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Yes, I do understand exactly what you are talking about. You should quit.....I should quit as well. Your supervisor obviously believes that he/she will be supported in bringing a patient to an area which is not staffed appropriately. In such circumstances it is unlikely that things will change for the better. Very sad, but all too common.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

Tweety ... I can certainly feel your pain and have been in the same situation and do not like it at all.

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Tough situation, I wish you luck. Never would happen on my unit, we are very well staffed. In fact last time I worked I had no assignment, I just covered people on their breaks. In California the Nurse practice Acts would require me to refuse an assignment that was unsafe. I wouldn't care if the President of the damn hospital accompanied the patient, if I am at my limit I would refuse the assignment.

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Sorry your having a bad night.......Have a margarita! Ummmmm yummmy! :chuckle

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Doesn't it make you feel better just to "vent"? Sorry for your troubles tonight. Can't think of an answer to your problem, but just wanted you to know that you are not alone.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Tweety.......have that supervisor sign a note in front of witnesses that says she/he will take full responsibility for what happens to that patient if things go sour with the patient on a unit that practices unsafe patient-nurse ratios. I'd LOVE to see the look on his/her face with that option. :rotfl:

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Specializes in Critical Care Baby!!!!!.

Tweety,

I am sooooo there!!!!! A few weeks ago I made a similar post! There was no staff position for me, but oh yeah, while we are on the subject......you think you can pick up such and such a day!!!!! :angryfire It's all a bunch of crap!!!!

Oh well, I hope your night gets better and in true Monty Python fashion......

Always look on the bright side of life!!!!!! :rotfl:

Tracey

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Oh I know, that is a terrible position to be in! The poor patient is laying on the stretcher just starring at you. You are then looking at the supervisor and back at the patient not knowing what to say or do. You are definately up against the wall when they do that. That is WHY they do it.

One time, I told the night supervisor not to put the patient in the bed because we were not staffed to take her and I was calling my manager. I didn't say this in front of the pt, of course. I then called my manager at home (had a great manager we could do that with) and she talked to the supervisor and told her to find a different bed for this patient. The situation was actually so unsafe and a long story. But anyway, that was the only time I ever had to call her at home and she was great. She didn't put up with that crap. Now that I think about it, she was the best nurse manager I ever had.

Anyway, I hope your night gets better. I know you will make it through just fine. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and morning will be here soon.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I like how we find out we're getting an admission right when the pt. comes off the elevator. By the time the ER calls to say "we're sending someone", that pt. is in bed. :(

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks for listening. I'm just so tired of working a nurse short, yet still expected to take admissions. Who gets the admissions? Why the charge nurse of course. One of "my" nurses was so overwhelmed with her assignment and an admission, I had to leave her under the normal ratio, taking into account acuity. So not only was I taking admissions, but had the vented patients AND was in charge, feeling guilty for not helping the nurse in weeds, but picking up patients to make it easier for her. So of course, you can sneak a patient in the unit behind my back I can handle it. :angryfire

Sorry, I'm ok really just venting. It's over time to move on to a new day. No need to relive a day gone by. :)

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Tweety,

I can totally relate. You may want to do a search for "Assignment Despite Objection" on Google. It way to document that you are being forced to accept patients in an unsafe situation. Things such as acuity, inexperience, staffing mixes, #admits in a shift are listed. ADO won't necessarily stop the admits from coming, but it is legal, documentation that you spoke up against receiving another patient in an already unsafe situation.

Good luck.

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