Legal implications?

Nurses Safety

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I recently started a new job, med/sug. Small hospital that has no ICU, but have already had a pt with multiple PE's on hep drip, Afib with RVR on Card drip,titrated; bowel resec with insulin drip, titrated; dopamine drip with BP of 60/30-PO2 in 70's, that was life flighted after several hours. These were all on the M/S floor, and I had 3 to 4 other pts to care for, and sometimes no CNA. I was told upon hire they always have 2 nurses and at least one CNA for up to 10 pts, then at 11 they call in a 3rd nurse. Well, now I find out that up to 5 Pt's they only have ONE nurse on the floor. I just don't think one nurse on the floor is safe at any time. The CNA thing was a farce, we often have 4 pt's, no CNA. Is this common in other places? I've only worked at 2 other hospitals, and this was never the practice, always had 2 nurses on the floor. This is day shift, 7A-7P. The house supervisor is rarely seen, ususally in ER, since they only have one nurser there.:o Last week had a man who had orders to insert dobhoff, attempted after 2mg ativan, we tried, but he fought us off, DR came in, had him held down and forced it in, I was thinking, unlawful restraint, assault. Need advice. Feeling really scared. I'm thinking I need to go back to my old job, even though the hours suck, which is the only reason I left.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I refused a job because there would be only one nurse with a potential of 7 patients. Later I learned the facility had to revise that grid as they could not get or keep nurses otherwise. It is not safe. Who witnesses meds? Who answers the call bells when you are in a room? This is not appropriate, IMHO

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

cindy, Good Lord! Get your behind out of there!!!!!

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

It sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Yes, get out!

If your old job is still available, go back.

You were lied to here, and it's an unsafe situation.

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Yes, I just got off the phone with the DON from my previous job. She said she will call me tomorrow with a schedule, and is so excited to have me come back. I won't have as good of hours, but......at least I will have my license, and won't feel I am a party to endangering lives. Now I have to decide if I want to just never go back, or give my notice. I have only been on the new job 6 weeks, no vacation, etc., but ethically I feel it is wrong not to give notice. I have never in my life, even one time, quit a job without notice. Thank you all, you reaffirmed what I already knew in my heart.

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cindy, Good Lord! Get your behind out of there!!!!!

I agree! This is a disaster waiting to happen! What happens if one of your patients are going bad? Who helps you, or looks after the other ones? I would be scared too!

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I have always believed in playing by the rules and giving notice when I leave a job, but in this case I don't know that I would feel any large obligation to give them notice with all that has been going on because it won't get any better before you leave.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

In almost every case, I firmly believe in giving notice also; however, this is an exception. You've only been there 6 wks. and already have another job lined up. No need to risk your license during the 2 wk. notice--the place sounds that dangerous to me! I KNOW that I wouldn't give notice in this particular case. I would also tell the DON why. There are MAJOR issues here.

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

I agree- this is a really exceptional case and your license could truly be at stake.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Glad to hear that you can go back to your old job. I feel your license is at risk there and leave without notice. Call and say that you quit.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Peds, OB, L/D, Ortho.
I agree! This is a disaster waiting to happen! What happens if one of your patients are going bad? Who helps you, or looks after the other ones? I would be scared too!

OMG! Run as fast as you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I worked today, it was more horrible than any other day. I still feel sick to my stomach thinking about not giving notice, but.....I am listening to your advice, and I know you are right; another nurse who just started is feeling the same way I do. She is scared, said she is leaving, probably without notice. Today, they put out CNA on call because we had 6 Pt's, 2 nurses. Well, of my three, one was a GI bleed in horrible pain, lots of IVP morphine and tests to go to, preps, etc. taking her to the BR every half hour, and anti-nausea drugs, an 8 lb baby with RSV, pneumonia with sats in the 80's, an elderly lady with resp distress. I ended up transferring babe to children's hosp., discharging elderly lady, running my hiney off for GI bleed, then had 3 admissions, 2 within 5 minutes of each other, 2 surgicals, and a dehydration. I only had time to pee one time in 13 hours. Tons of orders, meds, it was a nightmare. Thank you all. Cindy

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