arrrgghhh

Nurses Safety

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Hi All,

I started working my first nursing job about a month ago. I am an LPN, and still green!!!:) I chose a facility near my school, ( I am in my RN year now)

that offered 8 hour shifts and good pay. I only recieved two days of orientation, and then was put on a new hall by myself, responsible for 40 residents! well, as you can guess I was VERY overwhelmed, and my 3-11 shift turned into 3-1:30 am! I talked to my DON, who said , unfortunately that was the state law, one nurse to 44 pts., and to keep doing the best I can. How can this possibly be safe?? Especially letting an inexperienced NEW nurse take the reins?? The last thing I want to do is hurt someone, or learn sloppy shortcuts to stay in compliance!!! So, I am giving my two weeks today and found another job working weekends ( ugh but safer and better environment for new nurses!) at a place near my home. I don't want to addto their short staffing problems by quitting ( everyone quits this place I found out!) but my desire to give safe patient care ( and not lose my new license!) overrides my loyalty to this place. Am I being irrational about this? Or is this whats to be expected for my career in nursing?? It seems RNs get the better deal with preceptor programs!! ( come on May 11th!!)

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!!!!

Nurse Em

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Specializes in med/surg.

Irrational - NO!!! I think 1:44 is just plain stupid. Seems you're right to run. Good luck with the new job & hope things work out well for you in the future.

BTW, can't possibly think that's State law - anyone know the answer to that??

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I dropped by this afternoon to hand in a two week notice...according to my other LPN classmates...I don't owe this place anything since I am PRN, so I could have just taken my name off as of today. However, I believe in doing the right thing and giving them two weeks to find someone else for the position...that being said, I am TERRIFIED of going back on Thursday. Now that I am "jumping ship" I feel that maybe they will put me on a wing that has the full load and so be it. I didn't get to talk to the DON, but I did leave my resignation on her desk. She is aware of how I feel, but let me know that's policy. I truly feel for those nurses that actually take care of that many patients...I hope one day to be confident enough in my skills and myself to take that load if need be!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

You did the right thing. Good luck.

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It is not a law that you MUST have only one nurse to 44 patients. They are risking your license. Get out now and don't look back.

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Specializes in Long Term Care.

Actually, I have been told that State Law does drive staffing somewhat. Not sure how that works but someone told me once that If it was AGAINST state law, then they would loose their medicare reimbursements

Let me know what you find out.

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