My Unit Is Bleeding Staff & Morale...Vent!

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I've realize most of all the places I've worked have had high turnover, but my current job takes the cake. In the six months I've been employed here I have seen 10 nurses come and go or reduce their status from full to part time or per diem on day shift alone, nights is worse. I've seen both new and experienced nurses quit while on orientation, or interview and not take the job. A few doctors even jokingly begged me not to leave as that nurses and docs just came and went.

Nurses who just came off orientation who are already proclaiming how much they hate it. The medical residents are stressed and have been openly complaining about their concerns, the attendings are detached. Techs could care less and don't work together.

Staff both RNs and ED techs are burned out from working short which leads to increased sick calls.

I've never seen such a mess of a unit. I'm calling out tomorrow for the 3rd time in 6 months and I feel awful but although its so early in ...I'm tired of being dumped upon. Last few shifts I've had full ICU, intubated patients with at least 7 other ED patients, 2 of which were potential strokes and another possible sepsis.

Equipment doesn't work... 3 of our 4 defibrillators stopped working and still have not been replaced.

Working ED in this town is rough. Less hospitals, terribly high acuity, and atrocious nurse turnover numbers. And yes there have been multiple meetings with administration and on the nightmare goes...

I think I'm sadly thru with bedside nursing after about 9 years. I'm just hoping to stick it out another 6 months here, then hopefully transfer to any ICU adult or peds/PACU or OR/Cath lab heck anywhere but the ed which I really do love. After that advanced practice here I come. It won't be easy but at least it'll be less physically demanding... sigh.

Specializes in hospice.

What kind of facility was it? That sounds truly horrifying.

Specializes in Emergency nursing, critical care nursing..

OMG, what state you in? I just don't want to be sick and need to go to your ED. Sounds awful!!

Specializes in as above.

Talk with your supervisor. or his supervisor

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