Non-ICU nurse pulled to your unit...

fergus51 · Dec 18, 2001

No! I won't even take a real patient assignment on a med-surg floor let alone a vented patient in ICU! I am an OB/L&D nurse so it's a completely different area so when I float I do tasks like catheters, IVs, etc. I think if you feel unsafe with vents you shouldn't risk your liscense by taking a patient with one. Couldn't you switch patient with another nurse if you were given a patient on a vent?

justanurse · Dec 19, 2001

Don't take the assignment unless you're trained in caring for the vent patients. You need at least some orientation in what care you should provide these patients with. Some training on the ventilator itself. Not to mention managing the airway if a problem should arise. Surely they can train you. And, if they can't then they should readjust the assignments to allow for patient safety.

Should not ever take a balloon pump patient unless you have been trained. Very dangerous to the patient. They are unstable, that is why they are on the balloon pump in the first place. Too many things can go wrong with the slightest miscalculation or oversight.

Stick to your guns.

RNKitty · Jan 20, 2002

NO FLOATY! I was spoiled by working on a closed unit. No-one floated to L&D, but I also didn't have to float to sick pts. I now refuse to float outside my clinical expertise unless I am used strictly as a nurses aid, ie bedpans, vitals, etc. I again found a hospital that won't float me off maternal child, and I LOVE it.

snickers · Jan 21, 2002

Can you not send a copy of her e-mail to your nursing association?, Where I come from, that request is a violation of nursing Standards of practice and is unsafe.

Remember...its your license not the supervisors.

sj.

prn nurse · Jan 23, 2002

Re vents: The fastest way to be comfortable with them is to get the R.T. to orient you to the vent. I love vented patients because if anything goes wrong, an alarm will go off. You won't walk in and find a patient in agonal resp. , etc. Vents are fairly simple. The R.T. can teach you more in 5 minutes than you will learn in 3 hours with a book. And ask each R.T. to explain it and show you. and ask each one to show you how to suction....you will develop your own technique after receiving 1/2 dozen lessons from them. If the vent alarm is alarming for an extended time, it usually means the tubing has come disconnected. look for a hose that has come loose. Never push the cancel alarm button on your vent...read the alarms and you will get an idea of whats wrong...most of the time the pt is coughing and needs suctioning. # 1 rule...repeat ... # 1 Rule, when a vent is alarming, whether it is your patient or not, Get UP and go check on the patient !! # 2 Rule...make sure there is an ambu bag available at the bedside of the vented patient.....# 3 Rule... Find out the beeper # and name of your R.T. when you come on...the R.T. is your best friend...(No more rules)...Learn how to push the 100% oxygen button, so you can oxygenate your patient immediately prior to and after suctioning. It only takes a second and helps your patient immensely. Look at your patient and tell him what you are doing. When turning intubated patients, keep your eye on the tube, that is the # 1 priority, let the nurse assisting you take care of cleanup, linen change etc, you hang on to the tube, don't let it get kinked, pulled, etc. I always hold onto the tube in this situation and reassure the patient. Take my suggestions and you will do fine and feel in control and confident..good luck.

Bobrn · Feb 11, 2002

1) Tell your supervisor they're crazy as hell

2) You can refuse assignments. Depending on which state you work in, this can affect your employement status

3)Pulling a non ICU nurse to take care of ICU patients is dangerous. Not only is your license in danger, but if the unit is busy as hell, and your patients aren't doing so well, who's gonna help you?

4)Tell your supervisor she is crazy as hell again. Sounds like this decision came from admin above your supers head.

Vent patients aren't bad. Stable vent patients anyway=)

Balloon pump patients need to be 1 to 1. There are complications that can come up and sometimes be prevented but you must have training in order to spot those problems. In our faciilities, they are 1 to 1 only, with a CCU/CVICU RN who has been certified to care for this patient population.

What your boss is doing to you is wrong. Stand up for yourself, and refuse the float. Get your unit to follow your lead. If something happens, and you go to court, it's gonna look bad for the non ICU personnel explaining why they were working in ICU and their patient ends up expired because of any oversight or potential error. The hospital would also be charged for the decision, but they'll crucify you first.

Now, floating and taking care of tele type patients in the ICU that are waiting for floor beds is another story all together=)

RNKitty · Feb 12, 2002

.

Originally posted by Bobrn
[b}
Now, floating and taking care of tele type patients in the ICU that are waiting for floor beds is another story all together=) [/b]

Not if you are an L&D nurse;)

CYNTHIA WOODS · Feb 23, 2002

Never take on any assignment you are uncomfortable with. As previously stated it is your license and no one elses. Reading about ventilators is a great initiative on your part and after that continue to educate yourself about vents. they really are not all that complicated and when you become comfortable care for a vent. patient and you will be glad you have over come your fears and obtained new nursing knowlegde.

live4today, RN · Feb 24, 2002

I must agree with all the other nurses here and say do NOT take an assignment that you are not qualified to safely manage! NO ONE can protect your license but YOU! Tell that Supervisor the following quote (if you can remember it next time she tries to float you somewhere you aren't qualified:

"No, I will not float to that unit and take vent or balloon pump patients because I am not qualified to do so, nor can you legally get away with making me accept a patient assignment that I'm unqualified for. If you persist with this nonsense, I'm afraid I'll have no other recourse but to write you up to the State Board of Nursing."

That should shut her up! If not, repeat the phrase to her -- perhaps she is in shock over your assertive stand with her, and she couldn't quite believe her ears! :chuckle :roll :chuckle

___________________________________________

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." -- Catherine Aird :chuckle

Trauma Columnist · Feb 24, 2002

What is your nurse manager thinking???? Does she want to dress up and go to court???? I'm an ER nurse (level I trauma center) and in our hospital ER nurses don't float. I actually have worked OT in the ICU but I used to work ICU so don't feel uncomfortable, but would never accept assignment that I didn't feel comfortable with.

PRFICURN · Apr 26, 2002

I think that your are very appropriate to feel uncomfortable abou being ordered to take care of a vent dependant patient.

Always think of your level of traning and experience. If you don't have the trainng then your supervisors have no right to ask to do something out of your scope of practice.

I hae worked in aspect of critical care for 20 years. That would be like asking me to work a shift in the newborn nursery. I don't have the proper experience or training to do that.

Keep sticking to your guns and refuse the assignment until you are offered the proper educational experiences and the clinical orientation to do the job.

PRF :rolleyes: