10:1 nurse to patient ratio on NOC's!!?##!!

[RN_2_B_5/2004]

I could not believe my eyes when I showed up for work last noc and found that I had been assigned 10 patients. I work on a 36 bed Onc/Hem floor with many high acuity patients. For the whole unit we had 3 RN's for 29 patients with 3 aides. We are also a stem-cell transplant floor with many leukemia's and myeloma's. I did not feel safe at all.

I am just so mad :angryfire and frustrated at this and need to vent.

To top off m noc, I was giving an update to the nurse who was taking 2 of my patients, one of which is a relapsed leaukemic with VRE in his blood and stool, well while I was updating her, she noticed that the doc and three residents were going into the pos. pressure room, she said "Oh, you better make sure that they alll gown up" Well being the newer grad that I am, I did, and boy did the s__t hit the fan, the doc screamed at me and said that I had totally insulted him :imbar , well needless to say I looked back at the desk and she was laughing, she totally made a fool out f me...ON PURPOSE!! :angryfire Today I left the hospital in tears..

I am so frustrated with the unit I worl on, I want to quit right this second. The problems I mentioned are just a few of the many.

Thanks for lettiing me vent!!

[angel337, MSN, RN]

that is absolutely horrific. i would quit. there is no reason why they should treat you that way and especially the patients. and considering the unit is not just a regular med/surg that is really too much. my full time job is ED. but sometimes i do the floor and everytime i go up there, i am reminded why there is a nursing shortage. its not that way every where, so i think you should consider another specialty (ED :) )before you get burned out. considering you just started your career its important that you are working some place that you feel comfortable going to. good luck dear. let us know what happens.

[rnmi2004]

You worked long & hard to get your license. Don't put it in jeopardy by accepting any more unsafe assignments. If this hospital cares so little about patient safety, they're not going to care any better for their employees. You'd be better off somewhere else.

[dphrn]

That is terrible! I am so happy I am not on the floor any more! Please don't feel that you have to accept this type of working conditions. There are many jobs out there for us nurses.

I would talk with the nurse manager asap about both of your concerns...the assignment and the nursing staff's behavior. If you don't get the results you desire...find a new job! They are out there. It is in your power to find one you are happy with. You can do it!

[Anniekins]

Our floor has 30 patients and 3 RN's from 11pm-7am with 2 aides!!!!!!! I don't know how they do it!

I am an evening shifter myself.......

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

That is horrible! I'm so sorry that happened to you. I think perhaps another floor or another hospital might be the answer unfortunately! And that nurse - gee whiz - what a loser!

[RN_2_B_5/2004]

Thank you for your input, the more I thought about it the more I want to quit. I wll be talking with the nurse manager on Monday morning and if I do not get a response that I feel is appropriate I will be asking HR for a transfer to another unit. Even when we are supposedly staffed correctly it is not unusual to have 8 patients at NOC on my unit.

Thank you!

[Town & Country]

WHY do nurses DO THIS SORT OF THING to each other? :angryfire

What was "funny" about that?

I would have been sorely tempted to meet her in the parking lot. In fact; I probably would have. Not to exchange blows but just to give her a piece of my mind.

What a WITCH!

[Town & Country]

P.S. If I didn't get transferred I'd give two week's notice. :angryfire

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I hope the 10:1 was just an isolated incident due to a crtical staffing shortage that day and not an everyday occurrence.

When you're less angry. Stand up for yourself to this person and tell her that you don't appreciate what she did, that it embarrassed you and was unprofressional and unacceptable.

You may be the new kid, but you should not be the brunt of cruel practical jokes.

Take care.

[avahsmiles]

To top off m noc, I was giving an update to the nurse who was taking 2 of my patients, one of which is a relapsed leaukemic with VRE in his blood and stool, well while I was updating her, she noticed that the doc and three residents were going into the pos. pressure room, she said "Oh, you better make sure that they alll gown up" Well being the newer grad that I am, I did, and boy did the s__t hit the fan, the doc screamed at me and said that I had totally insulted him :imbar , well needless to say I looked back at the desk and she was laughing....

You know what? What goes around comes around. She'll have her day.

Move on my dear, you're worth more than this!

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I agree, id have to step up and put in for a transfer to another department. No wonder they run understaff like that, they probly cant get anyone to stay when stuff like that goes on. The nurse that knew the doctor would react like that needs her clock cleaned. But, the doctor needs his battle ax dulled a little by administration. Noone should be allowed to talk to or treat badly needed staff like that no matter who they think are. You were still right to inquire as to whether they needed help with their iso gear and do it again if you have to. Doctors seem to think they are immune to everything and could never pass anything from patient to patient. Human antimicrobial agents they are!!!!