RN4HIRE

Just wait until they get curious enough to sneak a peek at one of your paystubs. This happened to me before. They were pissed that a new grad was making more than an experienced nurse. There bitching to administration eventually led to a pay raise across the board for everyone. I didn't realize I was making more than them until another nurse had told me. Then a vaguely remembered being handed an open paystub approx. 4 months prior. I still like to think I left while "on top."

Did anyone think to write an incident report? If something actually happened in the ER that landed you in front of a jury, they will ask if you used the "chain of command." If no incident report was filed, then administration can pretty much say whatever they want or that you didn't fully make them aware of the dangerious situation, and you will be at fault for not notifying the proper people. Working registery, we are always told to make sure we at least document in pt's chart that the charge nurse was made aware. Then the responsibility is shared with a hosptial representaive.

I'd like to hear from other ER nurses about how they ensure their documentation reflects the nursing process. In my research, it seems to be the best way to show that I have meet the "standard of care" and will help protect me in any future malpractice lawsuits.

hi diane, in response to your question of "any ideas who/what i can complain to? don't suggest mgmt. they are well aware....... and have done nothing to change this. i thought maybe state bon? would they do anything? board of health? any ideas?" because az labor laws do not require it's employeers to offer breaks, or lunches, and osha in az does not enforce it's own guidelines, we (a right to work state) are limited to who will lend a compassionate ear to nurses. however, you should be aware that the national nurses organizing committee-arizona has introduced an unsafe patient care hotline. you can report unsafe conditions at: 1-800-496-0213. you may also consider strength in in numbers approach. for example, the southern arizona nurses coalition (saznc) has merged with the national nurses organizing committee - arizona (nnoc-az). this merger is the culmination of years of work by saznc to build a stronger voice for nurses across arizona in patient and professional advocacy. the membership of nnoc-az is now over 1000 voices strong! for more information you can contact the membership department at 510-273-2200 or by email at [email protected]. i would also take a mental note in how your hospital is not supporting its own nursing staff. they sound like a for-profit hospital. this could be the tale-tale heart of your hosptial's reactions in a malpractice suit. do you carry your own malpractice insurance? i defiently would. they will hang you out to dry, if they can prove you didn't follow their policy or procedure. if their is not enough staff, you must use your "chain of command" by writing an incident report. otherwise, they can deny that they knew anything about the staffing situation, and you can be held liaible for not meeting "the standard of care" when something goes wrong. on the other side of the coin, if you think you are safe in using registery, think again. my registery teaches us, if something goes wrong to document "charge nurse made aware." this would shift responsiblity to you, and perhaps shift the blame in a malpractice suit. my advice is to get out while you still can.....