NurseL20

I figured, it seems unreasonable. I am used to seeing q15 min integrity checks requirement for 5 point restraints, but not for soft wrist. My hospital/floor requires us to do this for all restraints, (with 7 patients- it just seems unreal).... its a little frustrating, which is why I started this post

I want to clarify, are you trying to say no such requirement exists as a law or standard? or are you saying no such requirement exist in any hospital?

My hospital requires all patients in restraints have an integrity check q15 minutes and reassess need for restraints q2 hours. It does not matter which type of restraints they are, whether 5 point restraints or soft wrist restraints.

I appreciate all the responses. It’s very unfortunate reading so many responses saying the same thing, about the hospital never being properly staffed. It totally takes away from the reason most of us became nurses in the first place... Honestly I think it’s crazy to be expected to have 7 patient with one being on restraints, requiring you to check on them every 15 minutes... I wonder... does this continue to happen because we become OK with being overworked and just go with the flow?? This is not right what so ever...

Thanks for the response. How long did you stay at the first job before leaving?

Any advice appreciated. I started working at the hospital as a nurse 2 months ago; prior to that I worked as a CNA. I work on a med-surg tele floor. My current patient ratio is 7 to 1, with the nurse taking full responsibility of 1 patient (so no tech). I am nearing the end of my orientation, and am totally disgusted with this hospital. On my last shift, I had 6 patients with 1 patient on restraints; is that a common situation for anyone? As a CNA I have always seen patients in restraints with 1:1 (either nurse or sitter). I just feel like the hospital puts so much on the nurses, but does not offer adequate support. I've seen so many wrong things, but I don't know if it's because I am a new nurse and this is how it is done in real life, or because this place is just that horrible. Anyone with common experiences or advice? Thank you!!

What did you end up switching to? Also did your psych hospital deal with any sort of med-surge?

This makes a lot of sense. Thank you

I really want to become a CRNA in the future, but I was offered my first nursing job at a Psychiatric/Drug Rehab facility (which I believe is really needed in our society). If I accept this postion will I have difficulties eventually transferring into a critical care postion? I really do not want to stick myself in the catergory as being a psych nurse and have difficulties getting into criticle care. Does any one have any stories of changing from psych to a critical care unit? I really appreciat any advice.

Thanks for the heads up.

WOW! I did not know it was so expensive to apply, thank you I will keep that in mind. I started to look up different certs, but it seemed as if CCRN was the major one for CRNA. Can you suggest any other certs?

That's awesome, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I would be grateful to get into any program.

Great advice; I definitely will learn as much as I can from ICU. I get mixed review about new grads working in ICU, so I may have to do a year on Med-surge. What changes did you make the 2nd year you applied? Did you get into one of your top choices?

Thank you for responding. That is very encouraging to hear, it really gives me a lot of hope. Were you able to get accepted to a school in your state? Also how is the CRNA program going for you?

Thanks in advance any advice is helpful. When I was younger I messed up pretty bad in college and I am still paying for it today. I will be graduating with my ADN in August. I made straight A's so far in nursing. My cumulative GPA is a 2.8, but my core nursing GPA is a 4.0. I will go on to complete my bachelors immediately afterwards. I want to know if I continue to get A's in my nursing classes, will I have a chance of getting accepted into a CRNA program. This is my plan: Graduate BSN with all A's, obtain certifications to be somewhat competitive (CCRN, ACLS, PALS), Shadow a CRNA multiple times, take additional upper level science classes, have at least 3 years ICU experience at a level 1 trauma, (If applied and rejected) complete my MSN and apply again. I don't know it this is enough. I literally can not do anything about my poor academic past, I only can crush my grades moving forward. I am truly determined and will do what ever it takes. I just want to hear others opinion on ways to further improve my chances... And once again ANY advice helps, I'm a big girl I can take it ?