Patient Safety and the changing Economy

icyounurse, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2009

We havent seen much difference in workload per say, just alot more use of per diem/float pool to staff as our hospital has slowed down hiring significantly at this time. Also, they just announced no more matching on employee 401k's and no raises this year. We usually get an annual merit raise/cost of living raise but they are citing the economy and counting on people to be so relieved they still have a job that they wont complain too much.

vivicaq · Apr 29, 2009

Thats nice to hear, I wish more hospitals would hire more per diems and maintain a reasonable workload on the staff. The danger in hiring per diem and not using them is that they will look else where they cant afford to be canceled on a consistent basis. Hospitals should have been given bail out money at least all trauma one centers should have been factored into this equation

nightshiftnut · Apr 29, 2009

The economy has a posed a huge affect on the hospital where I work at. We have a wage freeze. That took effect in November 2008. Our hours were cut to 36 per/week. We are not allowed to have any overtime. Meaning they want us to clock out at exactly 7:30am. I very rarely get a chance for a break. Last night I was able to leave the unit for a total of 10minutes during my 8 hour shift. At one point in my nursing career were able to write "no lunch" on the board and get paid for it. Forget about that now. If you don't get a lunch....then so what according to management. You just go without your break with no pay for it. Last night was horrendous. Eight patients to care for. One patient receiving chemo, one had to receive 4 units of FFP, a confused patient receiving blood, one screaming, confused, combative,biting patient, one patient with a SBO who had to be restrained because he was pulliing at his ng,foley, and iv (alcohol withdrawal) two fresh post op colon resections, one fresh post op hernia repair.:scrm: I feel as though I am placing my license on the line some nights. I wanted to cry:cry:!! I did on my way home. Ok, I won't lie..I did shed a few tears when I was ABLE to take a quick pee break. I'm so disgusted right now!! The moral is very low with nursing staff. Gee, I wonder why?? Thankfully, I have another job outside of the hospital working 10 hours a week doing quality assurance visits with the elderly in our community. No one is BITING at that job:D! Gee, this post is rambling!! Would love to tell management to "BITE ME"!!!:hhmth:

nightshiftnut · Apr 29, 2009

:hlk:RAAAHHHHH!!!! Ok, feel a little better!

vivicaq · Apr 29, 2009

This is the time for unionized hospitals to set guidelines on staffing and to have the state enforce breaks. I know everybody is hurting but cutting at bedside can create dangerous preventable situations. For now we are the care givers but our role can easily be reversed to being the patient and if we continue being stretched, it wont be long before we end up in either a medical or psych word

guest64485 · Apr 29, 2009

At one point in my nursing career were able to write "no lunch" on the board and get paid for it. Forget about that now. If you don't get a lunch....then so what according to management. You just go without your break with no pay for it.

This is against the law.

See

https://allnurses.com/nursing-news/lawsuits-filed-western-381836.html

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09091/959722-114.stm

about a lawsuit filed for this very purpose.

Things probably won't get better till someone takes a stand. Or, you can think about going to HR about this issue too. They may be able to better get it across to your manager that payment for missed meals is a requirement.

Or you can call the government to investigate this.

1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243)

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/