Need advice-fairly new nurse

[cowgirlmedic]

So I've been a nurse since May and started working immediately after school on an Oncology/postop gyn/GI surgery floor. I've hit the floor running and handle my patients well for a new grad, but over the last 6 months, our staffing has been atrocious. It is the norm for me to start out with 8 patients (sometimes taking a 9th) and have 1 CNA for an entire floor of 42 beds. I've expressed (as have many others) that I feel unsafe and much like a med-slinger rather than a nurse to my manager. I have no time to spend with my patients and by the end of 3 nights, I sleep between 18-22 hours out of sheer exhaustion. As you can imagine, I'm getting burned out. I don't want to leave nursing, but feel as though if I don't make a change REALLY soon, I'm gonna have a mental breakdown. I love med-surg. I love my patients. But the problem in all this is that I'm wanting to change positions, but don't want to lose my time in grade (from Clin I to Clin II) if I move to another hospital. Also would I truly burn my bridges if I changed jobs (from one hospital to another) before hitting my 1 year? Has anyone done this? What was your experience? I don't want my employer to think I can't handle it, but dang... I feel unsafe, scared for my patients and mentally exhausted.

[sourapril]

When you talked to your manager (as other coworkers also did), what did she say? Why isn't your unit hiring more nurses/CNAs? Is it money? If you and others don't feel safe in your working environment, you need to voice that to your supervisor. If nothing can be done, you should bring that to her supervisor. I wouldn't continue working in an unsafe environment, something bad is bound to happen sooner or later. Take care of yourself first.

[cowgirlmedic]

She says "I'm working on staffing" and that she's got more positions approved, stick with her bla bla bla. But the fact remains that our seasoned RNs are dropping like flies and their positions are now open, which adds to the staffing issue. We are a floor of brand new night shift RNs. The most seasoned RN is 2 years post nursing school.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

I have no words of wisdom. What I do know is that if you and your fellow nurses continue to work in those unsafe conditions, you'll never get any help. Nothing will change as long as enough people cover the shift.

I'm an old nurse and I could handle the work load you describe for a few shifts. But I couldn't do it with no end in sight.

As a new nurse I would have moved on. The weight of the stress is unsustainable.

Can you transfer to another unit?

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

I agree with the others, if you feel unsafe you probably are unsafe. Keep your license and your patients safe and if you can't do that then you are going to need to make a change. I know it's tough to think about leaving when you are needed, and when you like the floor, and when it's your first job, but you do have to take care of yourself first.

[NanikRN]

9 patients on an acute hospital floor??? I'm an experienced nurse and that would make me shudder. Can't imagine how that could be possibly safe . Maybe nothing has happened so far but just think of the potential of missing s/s of complications. I'd be thinking Safe Harbor.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

I am experienced and would be out of there. Don't worry about tenure when you are not even a year in. Go find a better job, then turn in your notice once you have one. Don't think twice, don't look back.