DeepFriedRN

I agree with moonflower.. Discuss the issue with your hiring manager. But if you think that getting your foot in the door is important- it may actually be worth it for a while- in most places after about 6 mos you can transfer- perhaps you could find a job with 3 12's then. Beyond that- in another 6 mos you'll have the year of acute experience most hospitals are looking for.. And then maybe somewhere closer to home? Otherwise the weekend thing might work. If you don't want the job though- definitely let the manager know ASAP. You don't want to burn any bridges...

It's a tough job, stressful in it's own way (case loads, meeting metrics, etc..). However, that said, on the plus side a mistake doesn't have the same degree of seriousness that you would find when working bedside-i.e no one dies. I find that many nurses that I work with work more than 8 hrs a day in order to meet the required # of cases.. But no weekends, no holidays. It's got it's good and bad. I am finding that in terms of job satifaction-I personally MISS working with pts. I don't know, just kinda feel like I'm pushing papers around a desk (virtually, lol) just like I did before becoming a nurse. Honestly, it's not my favorite job.

One day I ws talking to my dtr (she's 16 now, was about 14 then), about how burned out I was feeling at work. And with the wonderful sarcasm that she inherited from me, she looked at me, rolled her eyes, and said "you're way past burned out, Mom. You're deep fried!" Hence the name..

Yup, me too. Weird, the things that bug people...

You know Ruby, I only have 8 years under my belt, but when I first started, there was a lot more team work. I'm in CA, where there are ratios. As such, since nurses on tele have "only" 4 pts, admin assumes CNA's and LVN's are not as necessary. So 31 bed unit, 2 CNA's. (and per the union contract, they only have to take 6 patients each) When I started (before ratios), I had 6 patients, 4 of whom would have an aide (4 aides on the floor). With 2 sets of hands, things moved quickly and efficiently. Now, it's pretty much every man for himself. I miss the old days. We are creating nurses who don't feel the need to step up and offer help to anyone. The basic care that pts deserve is getting sidelined. Yes, we have to monitor tons of stuff, but it takes approximately 15 minutes to bathe a pt if there are 2 people. I hate to think that pts go 3-4 days without basic hygiene. How would each of us feel if we had to go that long? I miss teams. They made for better care, and better nurses.

((tait)).. A horrible and gut wrenching situation. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. May you all find the path that leads to peace for your Grandma, and for all of you.

Agree with the above.. It's not that you were necessarily wrong or anything.. But I also agree with those that said looking at the trends in a case like this is important. On the other hand, good for you for paying attention to blood levels and such when administering meds! That's the makings of an excellent nurse.

The other day I was looking for a phone number online for a friend. So I look the guy's name up, and along with the phone number, it had his complete address, and a map showing his house. Now, I have a unique name, and so I looked up my number too. Sure enough, there was me, with a map to my house and all. So no, I'm not letting any one take a picture of my badge, and they can't have my last name unless they ask my manager for it. I'll give them my first name and my credentials, that's it. I work in a gang infested area, take care of a lot of gangsters, and I'm not having any of them or their ticked off family members looking for me at home.

Agree with the above, first thing I thought of was diversion.. She has others remove the meds and in doing so avoids a paper trail (or computer trail, I guess). However, if she is having you give them also, maybe it is an issue of sanction. The next time she asks, just tell you will be happy to walk her through using the machine if she's having trouble (on the off chance that maybe she is just having trouble with it), or just ask her why she is continually unable..but don't do it for her. And give a heads up to your manager. It probably needs to be addressed.

Agree with the above..You are hanging your behind out there writing out things about a patient you have not assessed, and she's hanging her behind out there assuming you have written the correct info on her patient. A lawyer would have a field day.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.. You aren't over-reacting to the situation, because what happened would be terrifying to anyone. Rationally we can all know that with the PEP your risks are really quite low, but it's hard not be frightened anyway. I think the EAP idea is a great one, they will help you find a way to deal with your fears and anxiety. Prayers out for your peace of mind, and for your continued health.

I recall being told by a hospital pharmacist that the glass particulate can accumulate in the liver. I was taught to always use filter needles, but have met tons of nurses who have never used or heard of 'em. It's not a regional thing, either, because I went to one school in town and was taught to always use them, and work with a nurse who went to the other school in town and never heard of them.

Agree with the posters who say just give it-as it's ordered, within appropriate time frames, and as long as the pt is stable to receive narcs. When I first became a nurse this problem used to befuddle me too, until a wise nurse told me that acute care nurses are not in the business of detoxing patients; and that quite frankly the drug addiction is almost always a symptom of much deeper problems in the patient's life that we certainly aren't going to fix in the 4 days they're in the hospital. So try not to drive yourself crazy. Give them what's ordered, and be firm and consistent in your dealings with the patient. It's the only sane way to deal with it, really..

Thanks you guys. I realize thatI definitely have to hash it out. I guess it's just the whole politically correct direction that I have to take that's irking me. I'm used to the floor, where when you have an issue you just kind of duke it out right then and call it good. This whole picking the appropriate words and being careful about your approach is new to me, but I'll learn. I think I just needed to vent. Thanks for the words of wisdom and support. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

yeah, it's just one of those weird situations where they are on the same level but work for different entities... she asked me what she could do for me to help (as she could see I'm getting frustrated) but I'm kinda at a loss..sigh. I'm starting to miss the floor. Yes, it's that bad, LOL.