New DON--YIKES !!

inthesky · Nov 10, 2008

What does LOS stand for?

I do know that just a few patients (depending on ADL and acuity needs) can be more time-consuming than 20 independent non-behavioral problem patients. Her response was also dismissive and rude.

she sounds awful.

Leahr · Nov 10, 2008

She sounds like a insensitive B***h, Not a suprise as most RNs who go into administrative roles are. They love the power.

aloevera · Nov 10, 2008

What does LOS stand for?
I do know that just a few patients (depending on ADL and acuity needs) can be more time-consuming than 20 independent non-behavioral problem patients. Her response was also dismissive and rude.
she sounds awful.

LOS is Line of Sight....we must keep these pts. under direct observation at all times....suicidal, homocidal, violent, etc.

To me, with 4 LOS we needed at least one tech just to cover them, preferably 2 then we needed 1 or 2 for the other 22 pts.

I am scared to go in tomorrow to see what I might find !!!

aloevera · Nov 10, 2008

She sounds like a insensitive B***h, Not a suprise as most RNs who go into administrative roles are. They love the power.

Unfortunately, that is the impression I got, also....but must give her a chance to get adjusted to her new role....

medsurgrnco, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2008

With 4 LOS pts, you need at least 2 techs to monitor them if they stay in the same area (assuming your techs are good at having each eye looking in a different direction!). If pts are free to roam, then you need 4 techs for those pts. And you need at least 2 techs for the other 2 pts... Maybe the new DON thinks your acuities average out?!

aloevera · Nov 11, 2008

With 4 LOS pts, you need at least 2 techs to monitor them if they stay in the same area (assuming your techs are good at having each eye looking in a different direction!). If pts are free to roam, then you need 4 techs for those pts. And you need at least 2 techs for the other 2 pts... Maybe the new DON thinks your acuities average out?!

2 of the LOS were in a separate area, 2 were with the rest of the population....That is why I asked for at least 1 more....1 to keep on the 2 in the quaranteened (sp?) area, one to watch the 2 roaming, and the other one to watch the 22 others....(should be 2, I know, but we NEVER have 4 techs) I asked for 3, but was told that 2 were sufficient...hmmmmm

I had to end up watching the 2 while doing everything else....a nightmare to say the least....but to say that she is staffing by numbers and NOT acuity....that is what is so absurd to me....

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2008

You have my condolences. I give her 3 to 6 months.

aloevera · Nov 12, 2008

You have my condolences. I give her 3 to 6 months.

I hope you are right.....she wanted the night nurse to put 1/2 the pts. to bed at 10 P and the other at 12 M.....we laughed, can you imagine trying to tell some they must go to bed while the others are outside smoking and listening to the radio????

We did talk her out of that one.....I guess when you are a new DON, you want to make changes and make your mark,,,,but I should think she would think first about decisions made....

I had to tech, too, today due to short staffing....I think I will call her next time to come tech when she shorts us....see how that goes over.... :rolleyes:

aloevera · Nov 17, 2008

from no staff to too many !!!! I have been working over 2 yrs. 2-3 days a week PRN.....new DON hired 6 new full time nurses...

found out today I have been taken off the schedule the rest of the mo. due to all the new hires....told me I could work when we have call outs...just what I want...to be called at 5:30 AM to come in at 7 A...

I always had a schedule for the month and knew what days I was working....I understand the need for more full timers, but to discard me as a long timer, and take me off schedule....I am apalled...I don't know what to do....I am not going to be treated this way....

Any ideas? (If I hadn't called today to double check my days, I would have gone in tomorrow and been sent home, nobody even called me to let me know !!)

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2008

At least the courtesy of a phone call would have been nice. Can you look into PRN with other facilities? We have multiple units in my facility so if it dries up on one floor, there are many others. But if I had to, I'd go to other facilities to offer my PRN services. It's always good to have options when you're PRN. I know it's hard when you're comfortable somewhere and know the routine so well.

aloevera · Nov 18, 2008

At least the courtesy of a phone call would have been nice. Can you look into PRN with other facilities? We have multiple units in my facility so if it dries up on one floor, there are many others. But if I had to, I'd go to other facilities to offer my PRN services. It's always good to have options when you're PRN. I know it's hard when you're comfortable somewhere and know the routine so well.

Isn't that the truth....I dread starting over again somewhere else but I guess I have no alternative....I worked on all the units at my hospital...I would go wherever they asked me to....that is why I can't believe I was discarded like this...they could have kept me on for a steady 2 days a week I would have thought....but oh well, guess I will start over....

thanks for reply....and understanding....