nurse proof nursing station?

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Just when I thought I've seen it all, we got a new nurses station.Except that its basically 'nurse proof.' Its the size and construction of an office cubicle with no room and no real discernable function. Thats the best way to describe it,the old one was a classic nurses station design.

The reason I was told is because nurses have been hanging around there. :rolleyes:

There are people I'm sure who slack off or whatever on every shift, but I think they will just do it elsewhere and now everyone else is left with a laughable nurses station.

I feel that we are being punished like children. :icon_roll

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I would feel that is punishment too...as well as a very stupid idea! If anything in my hospital, we need much more room! With MD's and RN's and RT's and PT's and others...all charting and needing the nurses desk...we would not be able to function if it were any smaller...it would be like a cubicle but put a large pixis in it, and see if we can get ANYTHING done! Uhgggggggg...I am so sorry to hear of this.

I don't know, but are their labor laws out there that focus on safe and effective working conditions in your state (or mine for that matter)...or even fire codes that it may be breaking???

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I have no clue if its breaking any fire code laws. I dont know if there have ever been any written on nurses station designs. It even lacks the top counter,its literally just a cheap,small office cubicle.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

If it infringes on HIPPA, chart space, room for meds and doing charting...how can they be convinced it's a good fit. Why did they change the NS location? Perhaps the group can talk to management to say that, "well, now that we are MORE inaccessible to patients and visitors, maybe our customer service is going to suffer as well. We have the right to be treated like professionals." also, after a while, as staff get fed up and leave, that'll get management's attention....

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Specializes in PICU, ED, Infection Control, Education, cardiology.

The last place I worked had a similar issue. They felt people hung around to much. Thier remedy: take every single chair away. It is a long 12 hours with no chairs.

Kenny

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
The last place I worked had a similar issue. They felt people hung around to much. Thier remedy: take every single chair away. It is a long 12 hours with no chairs.

Kenny

I would be tempted to buy me a fold up chair to bring with me. Dare anyone to try to take it away. :twocents:

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

:o

how abusive and disrespectful!

if i were you...:cry:

please, i wouldn't go in there.

seriously.

i would leave that space empty!!!

none of you should bother using that non-nurses' station!!!

they will get the message!!!

:yeah:

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
i have no clue if its breaking any fire code laws. i dont know if there have ever been any written on nurses station designs. it even lacks the top counter,its literally just a cheap,small office cubicle.

obviously the nurses were not consulted? has anyone asked administration about it?

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry, Hospice, Home Health.

I too would be very offended and inclined to make some noise about this. In my hospital we have multiple charting areas PLUS computer terminals in the halls scattered about near patient rooms. All with chairs. Even then we compete for charts and get in each others way. Which is why I LOVE night shifts. We are union and magnet and it shows. There needs to be a collective voice among the nurses.:twocents:

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I worked a floor that had been renovated into something like this; the idea was it somehow looked 'bad' for the patients and visitors to see nursing staff sitting down. I imagine it looked even worse to see me dragging furniture out of patient rooms to sit in the hall to do my charting.

After that experience, when I interviewed I made it a point to ask about the physical layout of the unit, where nurses were expected to chart, etc.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
I worked a floor that had been renovated into something like this; the idea was it somehow looked 'bad' for the patients and visitors to see nursing staff sitting down. I imagine it looked even worse to see me dragging furniture out of patient rooms to sit in the hall to do my charting.

After that experience, when I interviewed I made it a point to ask about the physical layout of the unit, where nurses were expected to chart, etc.

I don't suppose that educating the patients to the Facts of Nursing Life would help? That is, that "sitting down" is not "doing nothing." :angryfire

As the nursing population ages, Admin is just going to have to accommodate or they won't have nurses. Fatigue from constant standing will cause more injuries and less job satisfaction.

I know that intuitively, just wish there was some research to back it up.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
the idea was it somehow looked 'bad' for the patients and visitors to see nursing staff sitting down.

I would like to see if those same patients that the think begrudge us from sitting (or eating or going to the bathroom) spend an entire 12 hour shift on their feet. Why do patients insist on thinking we are robots there to do their bidding, and why does management buy into it? (oh yeah, I forgot $$$)

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