Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Lost my benefits

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.

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    • Experts

    are you union?

  • Quote
    • Author

    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
    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.

  • Quote

    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?

  • Quote
    • Experts
    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.

  • Quote

    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.

  • Quote
    • Guides

    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

  • Quote
    • Author

    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.

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.