NKICU

I could have written this myself. We do have trach to vent patients on our floor, but it's exactly as you say. Even down to the physicians "not trusting floor nurses.”We are mostly neuro ICU/MSICU in a level 2 trauma hospital and some days we don't have a tech. My back is in rough shape. I think the issue is our hospital doesn't have a "step-down" floor. The Intensivists are great in that they get people off drips and vents sooner, but that means patients aren't staying ICU for long... thus they upgrade, and stay on our unit forever. After 7 years as a nurse and 4 as a tech prior, I'm leaving the bedside next year. I think we have a universal experience (at least it's common enough). Some shifts it's not so bad, others it's awful and I'm personally jumping off this train. You can try another ICU that's possibly in the city or trauma one. Or you can try your hand in CVICU, it's a different patient population.

I know this bill passed in California, and it's in the senate here in Illinois. I am in support personally, but I'm curious.... Has anyone's hospital/organization threatened to fire all ancillary staff if the bill goes through? Both my mother's organization (she's a nurse too) and mine separately have communicated to their staff that they would fire all CNAs, phlebotomy, unit secretaries, and those who deliver patient meals to recuperate costs if the safe patient limits bill is approved. They are encouraging us to oppose the bill so that nurses don't have to take on these additional jobs (even though half the time we're already doing them). I can't imagine this is legal? Has anyone else's hospital or organization threatened this?