heatherrn1234

I think it is time to have a confidential chat with the union. I don't want to lose my new position due to the fact that I NEED vacation time that I've earned.

I've been at my hospital for a few years now, but have recently changed units. My new unit is wonderful except when it comes to having PTO granted. I earn 5 weeks a year, but I can't use it because requests have to be submited a year in advance. There is only 1 nurse allowed off per shift per day. There are longtime employees that take entire months off leaving the others out of luck. I've been told that you must request at midnight one year in advance to get it. The rest of the nurses scramble to have per diems cover their shifts. We are a union facility. Does this seem standard or like an unfair policy to anyone else?

I have a few simple questions. If you had a pt POD 5 after a c-section on the med/surg unit with possible retained tampon (unknown length of tampon retention), would a lady partsl sweep by the rn be indicated prior to foley insertion. My critical nurse brain says that this action would help reduce the risk of possible infection. Is a "lady partsl sweep" considered a pelvic exam? Clean or sterile gloves for the sweep? Is this within the rn scope of practice?