Lost my benefits

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Specializes in Board Certified in Gerontological Nursin.

About a year ago. I got an email from management, stating that the other healthcare organizations in Milwaukee had stopped offering weekend staff the "full time" status that gave us things like cheaper insurance and more sick days. They left our pay alone, so I didn't complain, but I really don't know what to do about the latest cost cutting measures. Our boss had introduced a new staffing matrix that cuts us back to a single RN on the floor when the census gets below 5 patients. She comes from a Rehab background and just recently sent out an email stating that it was not illegal to staff in this manner. She has further stated that our matrix is no more severe than other units at our acute care hospital, but I know for a fact that the general med/surg floor never staffs less than 2 RNs on the floor. What is going on here? I'm afraid I will be caught in a situation where my license is at risk if I continue to work here.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

are you union?

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Specializes in Board Certified in Gerontological Nursin.

No, but I'm wondering now whether it's better to be fired for union organizing activity than to lose my license. I work in an acute care setting, a small inner-city hospital. I don't believe it's safe, especially when we could leave four acutely ill elders in the care of a brand new nurse. Not that brand new nurses aren't great...

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
No but I'm wondering now whether it's better to be fired for union organizing activity than to lose my license. I work in an acute care setting, a small inner-city hospital. I don't believe it's safe, especially when we could leave four acutely ill elders in the care of a brand new nurse. Not that brand new nurses aren't great...[/quote']

Geez, what happens if a patient crashes? One nurse? That must screams unsafe.

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Must wonder why she felt the need to deny the illegality of staffing with one nurse.

Wonder if the state agrees with that?

What are you supposed to do for a break, or when ( not if) some one crashes?

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
No, but I'm wondering now whether it's better to be fired for union organizing activity than to lose my license. I work in an acute care setting, a small inner-city hospital. I don't believe it's safe, especially when we could leave four acutely ill elders in the care of a brand new nurse. Not that brand new nurses aren't great...
While they can't fire you for union activity trust me they will find something to fire you over. It is unsafe to leave just one nurse...will that one nurse have an aide? Will the supervisor provide for your breaks? Will they be paying you over time for all those breaks that you don't' get and guaranteed by law? will there be someone on call for admissions or will the unit be closed for admissions while there is only 1 RN?

Clarify these questions with your manager. Emphasize the liability aspect to the hospital of just one nurse. I would call the BON and ask for guidance about this situation and how you report unsafe staffing conditions. I would also contact the local nurses union or the NNU for guidance

Good Luck.

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Specializes in nursing education.

There are other ways to deal with this, like consolidating units when census gets low. You have valid concerns and could go up the chain of command. Patient safety is not an option.

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

Tell your manager, shift supervisor, and /or medical director each and every time staffing is unsafe.

Keep a diary that includes what you said, who you said it to, and a direct quote of what that person's response was. The date, time, and unit needs to be included.

Explain why only one nurse alone is not safe. It is your responsibility as a patient advocate to try to change conditions that are not in the interest of your patients.

If most of the nursing staff does this they may just do the right thing.

Your record keeping could save your license and protect you in the event of a lawsuit.

Federal CMS regulations state that:

"It is the responsibility of the facility to ensure the immediate availability of a registered nurse for bedside care of any patient."

page 200 of the PDF: SOM Appendix A - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

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Specializes in Board Certified in Gerontological Nursin.

No, I'm giving it until next Monday to start investigating our options in that direction. I understand we call them "Patient Advocacy Groups" now...for sure, the administration is not advocating for the patients.

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