Hi all, looking for feedback on any who have left a difficult job for a job that is not their "dream job" but felt it was worth it. I've made posts about the violence on my Stepdown unit, mostly due to altered mental status from meth and alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. Many have answered that my hospital's response is inadequate. Last month I got talked to for giving a dose of valium 3 mins early to a patient on a PRN protocol for etoh withdrawal. The pt was a large man out of control, swinging at people, about to fall out of bed, etc. I should have double checked the charting though, and technically it is an error in terms of "right time." I've seen a lot of people give doses early and scan later when pt is out of control, but I know it's not right.
I'm not in trouble, but I feel like working in this type of environment might lead to making more serious errors because it is hard to carefully examine orders when you're being attacked. I know some people just run and give the med and scan everything when the pt is calm later. I don't want to have to resort to work arounds, I want a safer environment where we have security to safely restrain the pt while the nurse can read the order and scan.
I have an opportunity to work in an outpatient surgery center that pays more and doesn't have a violence issue. It would be mostly pre-op phone calls/chart prep with some shifts in the hands-on pre-op area. I could still work once a week at the hospital to keep up skills. I don't like desk work, but it's sounding better than being frequently attacked and then instead of being supported having my charting picked at. Looking for opinions/advice. Thanks so much to everyone who has responded in the past, the responses have helped me see that the job I'm in is not safe and validated my concerns. Thanks AllNurses!!
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Hi all, looking for feedback on any who have left a difficult job for a job that is not their "dream job" but felt it was worth it. I've made posts about the violence on my Stepdown unit, mostly due to altered mental status from meth and alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. Many have answered that my hospital's response is inadequate. Last month I got talked to for giving a dose of valium 3 mins early to a patient on a PRN protocol for etoh withdrawal. The pt was a large man out of control, swinging at people, about to fall out of bed, etc. I should have double checked the charting though, and technically it is an error in terms of "right time." I've seen a lot of people give doses early and scan later when pt is out of control, but I know it's not right.
I'm not in trouble, but I feel like working in this type of environment might lead to making more serious errors because it is hard to carefully examine orders when you're being attacked. I know some people just run and give the med and scan everything when the pt is calm later. I don't want to have to resort to work arounds, I want a safer environment where we have security to safely restrain the pt while the nurse can read the order and scan.
I have an opportunity to work in an outpatient surgery center that pays more and doesn't have a violence issue. It would be mostly pre-op phone calls/chart prep with some shifts in the hands-on pre-op area. I could still work once a week at the hospital to keep up skills. I don't like desk work, but it's sounding better than being frequently attacked and then instead of being supported having my charting picked at. Looking for opinions/advice. Thanks so much to everyone who has responded in the past, the responses have helped me see that the job I'm in is not safe and validated my concerns. Thanks AllNurses!!