Not being informed of when a patient of yours went to a procedure

acerila · Feb 6, 2008

I would be offended.

As a new grad myself I really hate it when co-workers are soo fake and act like they are trying to help you out but really are just doing your work because they are control freaks.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2008

Transport is not allowed to remove patients from the floor unless the primary nurse is aware of the patient's absence. What if you had to get a sample, draw labs, clean the patient, or chart pertinent information prior to a patient going to a test or for an eval?

I would not be happy.

Now is probably the time to sweetly advise the charge nurse that you'd like to know if your patients are moving anywhere. There is nothing quite as special like a family member or physician looking for your patient, and not having any idea where they are!

Good luck

Maisy;)

hollyberry678 · Feb 6, 2008

Thanks for your responses. Can I ask is that a policy where you work? (about transport)? Is that a general policy most places? Or is is common place for transport to take pts...

I can see where transport might take a pt to get a CXR, but this pt of mine was going to surgery...

Also, this charge nurse will often take report for me on an admit or transfer, and even from the PACU!! So when they drop off the pt at 3:00 pm, I'm getting vitals, then the next shift is coming on, I have to say "I didnt take report, the charge did, and I only knew they were coming 15 mins ago"...

Does this particular charge nurse think I am incompetant, that is why she is taking the liberty here?

EmmaG, RN · Feb 6, 2008

Thanks for your responses. Can I ask is that a policy where you work? (about transport)? Is that a general policy most places? Or is is common place for transport to take pts...
I can see where transport might take a pt to get a CXR, but this pt of mine was going to surgery...
Also, this charge nurse will often take report for me on an admit or transfer, and even from the PACU!! So when they drop off the pt at 3:00 pm, I'm getting vitals, then the next shift is coming on, I have to say "I didnt take report, the charge did, and I only knew they were coming 15 mins ago"...
Does this particular charge nurse think I am incompetant, that is why she is taking the liberty here?

Why don't you ask her?

It's hard to say why she's doing this; it may be she genuinely feels she is helping you out. Maybe she is a 'control freak'. Who knows? But until you talk to her about this, it will continue--- and you will continue to be frustrated.

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2008

It is a policy where I work...as I stated previously, there are good reasons the primary nurse may need to see the patient before leaving the floor. Your charge cannot know everything with every patient....therefore, unless previously setup with her or someone else, ONLY YOU should be notified when patient taken off floor.

Maisy;)

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2008

Sounds like she is trying to help you out. I wouldn't be offended. Everyone wants to talk about how "nurses eat their young" . With out knowing the rest of the story or how this nurse acts with the other nurses....I would think she thinks she is helping you.

I would just ask her to "Hey...please let me know about when my pts leave or xyz"

fancee free · Feb 7, 2008

I work in a hospital where they rarely tell the nurse (me) when a patient is taken for a procedure. In addition, the chart is often taken with the patient, so I am left stranded looking for the chart like a lunatic wondering where the he** it went. There are times when I don't have a chance to see what tests the MD ordered (I work in emerg), so when the CRN asks me what's going on with the patient I am left looking and feeling stupid by stating "I don't know, I can't find the chart". Ticks me off to no end.