Political Nursing Assigments

[findingmywayRN]

Is there such a thing as patient assignments made based on floor politics rather than following a standard criteria? I ask this only because of a recent thread on the topic of patient assignments.

My one and only hospital experience as a new grad had me convinced that the assignments were political. After a lame preceptorship (14 preceptors - during the interview they said it would be 2) that lasted five weeks (only after I begged them for another week - during the interview they said it would be "as long as you need."), I always had the maxium allowed patients (days 5-6, nights 7-8 and one time 9). If they were on precautions, were heavy and/or unstable they were on my assignment. My patients were never able to ambulate to the bathroom, and if they were they were not on my assignment the next day. One night I had to call the resource nurse to help me out because I was drowning (blood transfusion, infiltrated IV site for blood transfusion, monitoiring g-tube residual q. 30 minutes and titrating feeds accordingly, managing unbearable pain, etc. etc.) meanwhile charge came up to tell me "there's pizza in the lounge if you want any." I lasted just under 6 months and went into LTC.

I know you have to pay our dues, and I am a very hard worker. But before I return to hospital nursing I need input as to whether my experience sounds more like: a) political assignments b) not the greatest unit to work on c) realities of nursing

Thanks for all replies!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

There was a wise one who once said "we will get as much crap as we will take".

I know it's hard to stand up for yourself when you're new. But if you are sure that your assignment is not equitable to the rest of the unit, then you are going to have to speak up for yourself. The person making the assignment might be not even be aware of the acuity and simply needs to be told. At worst you can go up the chain of command. You wanna borrow jnette's brass balls? You need them in this profression. Good luck.

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

I pick A and B

Unfortunately this kind of crap happens and there is almost no way to predict it in the interview - they are always on their best behavior when trying to lure people in. I was treated in a similar way at a new job once - and you know what? I was looking for a job when I found that one so I let my little feet carry me right out of there. Any unit that treats new people like that does not deserve to be adequately staffed. Not every place is like that.

[zacarias, ASN, RN]

(blood transfusion, infiltrated IV site for blood transfusion, monitoiring g-tube residual q. 30 minutes and titrating feeds accordingly, managing unbearable pain, etc. etc.) meanwhile charge came up to tell me "there's pizza in the lounge if you want any." !

That used to happen to me too!! I mean I'd be running here and there and busy and lunch never entered my mind when I three, count 'em three phone calls (we carry cells) telling me there was pizza in the report room.

[Jeff82]

We just had a lecture telling us to expect the same treatment. Our lecturer simply told us to stand up for ourselves. I know when I get out there in the real world that I'm not gonna know anything except basics. The nurses that are working there should know this too cause they've all been in the same position before so they should empathise. If they're too cold hearted to give you a break then tell them to find another person to kick around.

Admittedly you have to take the good with the bad, and I'm sure there will be days when everything goes wrong and the whole shift is heavy for everyone, but if your getting the worst patients day in and day out then I think it's time you told them to give you a break or put you on another ward. I'm sure you'll find your niche where the people are nice and treat you like one of their own. Good luck anyway, I'll be able to experience the feeling for myself soon I guess