Nurses are people too

[jupiter_rising, RN]

In my short nursing life I have noticed nurses are everything to patients and their families. Not the "everything" where we are respected and appreciated for what we do. But the "everything" like a child would see a parent. Yes, I know I can't say every single person is like this. This is more of a vent than anything. I don't want to give too much details, fearing that I come across people I know on here. But where I work, we are short-staffed and over-worked. There have been several patient complaints due to call lights not being answered the second it turned on. And the facility frowns on any staff who tells patients and families we are short-staffed. The expectations on nurses to perform tasks that are physically impossible for one person to execute within the expectations of the patients and families. There are so many things I want to write to just get it all off my chest, but its all too specific and I can't go into any details. What gets me the most is that the solution the higher ups came up with is to give more work for the nurses to do ( didn't even address the issue of not having enough staff).

I know what I must do, look for another job. I am looking. I have a couple of interviews lined up. Several of my co-workers have either left or looking for jobs. What's sad is that almost every job I have looked into have the same problems if not worse. I get that companies want to make money but nurses are people too and we have our limits. We can only do so much. And taking care of patients (ranging from 12 to 18 in number, sub-acute) is just too much for 1 person, I am at my wits end.

How do nurses fight for safe patient-nurse ratios? How did California get to where they are now with their pt-nurse ratio?

[jupiter_rising, RN]

I am sorry. After reading what I wrote after I posted I realized that it looks like I am rambling. If it doesn't make sense, I apologize.

[Davey Do]

You're fine, jupiter_rising. Your post was an appropriate rant, so welcome to AN.com!

Many of us can identify with your situation. I don't know how to make administration appropriately staff, but I do have a technique for dealing with more work than there is time:

I prioritize: Patient safety and welfare, doctor's orders and necessary documentation.

For example, Wrongway Regional Medical Center went to computer charting back in 2012. Yet administration still expects a voluminous amount of paper charting to be completed. The majority of the paper forms are redundant and superfluous.

The heck with that!

I complete the computer charting and only do the paper forms which are important and not redundant, for example, the treatment plan and medication consent forms.

There are forms in the admission packet which are not used, for example, the hospitalists/NP medical assessment forms. They do not use the forms, they dictate their consultations! Besides, three of the four admitting psychiatrists listed on the form no longer practice at Wrongway!

I could go on and on, but you get my gist.

The best to you jupiter_rising!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

How do nurses fight for safe patient-nurse ratios? How did California get to where they are now with their pt-nurse ratio?

I'm interested in the answer to this question as well.

I have read, however, that some facilities in CA often get around this by not hiring ancillary help, such as CNAs and unit secretaries. So while their ratio may be "safe," they are still being overworked, with potential for negative patient outcomes.

[jupiter_rising, RN]

Thanks. I have tried that, prioritizing my workload. It worked for a couple of months. My co-workers and I worked hard to finish everything on time. Then admin decided that since we had "so much time" to complete the tasks we were given then we should be able to complete a few more. And the added work became required tasks for our shift that had to be done.

I am learning that I need to stay away from this particular specialty. I have tried working at another company for the same specialty and it is the same issue. Over-working the nurses to save a few bucks.

[jupiter_rising, RN]

I'm interested in the answer to this question as well.

I have read, however, that CA often gets around this by not hiring ancillary help, such as CNAs and unit secretaries. So while their ratio may be "safe," they are still being overworked, with potential for negative patient outcomes.

It seems that nurses are seen as expendable warm bodies. And when something does happen it is the over-worked nurses fault.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

It seems that nurses are seen as expendable warm bodies. And when something does happen it is the over-worked nurses fault.

In the minds of the bean counters, nurses are nothing but an expense.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

In the minds of the bean counters, nurses are nothing but an expense.

Truer words were never spoken, sadly.

[BlinkyPinky]

In the minds of the bean counters, nurses are nothing but an expense.

Lol. Well let's save on tho$e nurses the n! Get those " managers" and other desk jockeys in there to work the front lines! Just hold up a sec ; gotta pop some popcorn--...í ½í¸

[knotizer12]

I have read, however, that some facilities in CA often get around this by not hiring ancillary help, such as CNAs and unit secretaries. So while their ratio may be "safe," they are still being overworked, with potential for negative patient outcomes.

Really? It's sad that I can totally believe that. I bet one of their rationales is "oh well these nurses won't mind because they are altruistic and will do anything for the patients."

[knotizer12]

Lol. Well let's save on tho$e nurses the n! Get those " managers" and other desk jockeys in there to work the front lines! Just hold up a sec ; gotta pop some popcorn--

HAHAHAHA when state comes and they are all running over the floor to show "we all work together" but as soon as state steps foot outside the building it's "ok back to my office you got this?"

[lrobinson5]

Strong unions and persistence is key for staffing ratios. You think the hospital lobby didn't fight tooth and nail against mandated increased staffing? We usually have 2 CNAs for a unit that can go up to 30 patients (telemetry) but when you have a 1:3/1:4 ratio it really makes a huge difference. Yes we do more total care, but we also have more time to think, prepare meds, educate, and of course chart. Occasionally not having a secretary is sort of a bummer, but I honestly don't know how nurses handle having 7+ patients!