booklady

That's ridiculous for you to have to put up with a bully just because you manager is being a non-manager. Submit your concerns in writing to your manager, and tell her you're sending a copy to the HR dept. and to the your manager's superior. Be "nice" about it, ie. I just don't know what to do, etc. Employees will sometimes act out until they're clearly told what is expected. This certainly falls under "treating your co-workers with respect."

For pete's sake, this is the most ridiculous discussion I've ever read, including the ADN vs BSN controversy. I've done every type of ICU nursing for 28 years, including management and educator positions, and I don't have a clue what you're talking about. The ICU I'm in now recovers neurosurgery,(ICP's etc), Cardiovascular Surgery (IABP's, complex drips and hemodynamics routine), we do CVVHD,(run by the nurses), we get GI bleeds, sepsis with MODS, post-codes from the floor, you name it, everything except PEDS. Two-thirds of our staff can competently take care of everything that rolls through the door. So are we thinkers are doers? I promise you, we are both!

It's very important that you check with your State Board to see their view on this. I have done classes for Datascope Balloon Pumps and they do not endorse that RN's d/c IABP's because of the rare but real danger of balloon entrapment. THis happens if there is a small leak in the the balloon, the helium reacts with the blood that leaks into the circuit, and hardens to a cement like substance. Worst case scenario, can rip the aorta when the catheter is withdrawn. Hence the need for a physician present. (Of course my favorite smart-mouth cardiologist remarked,"What difference does it make if I'm there or not, the patint's going to die anyway!") Seriously, some hospitals do not even allow the physician to D/C the IAPB unless a surgery team in house. So the issue is not hemostasis, because if you're like us , we D/C 9 and 10 sheaths all the time, the issue is the entrapment.