Julie_RN2b

Sounds good...however..if it was only that easy! When we hit the floor there is no time to review charts and add to our sheets..and Im not kidding. We start right away with pulling all labs, tele strips, calling docs with critical lab values, ck on all pts and then try our hardest to get in an assessmt or 2 before the big med pass begins and pts leaving the floor for procedures with the charts. Im just saying the things I have on my sheet to prepare me for my day works best for me and does save me alot of time. There are so many other issues this hospital could and should be more focused on.

it makes the day go alittle easier to have the info I need with me, instead of running back to the chart and cking! I'm not saying I need to prepare for a code situation..I am preparing for my day..saving precious time. I do and have to prioritize...but likeo I said it saves time to have the needed info on my brain sheet rather than having to keep cking the chart..which is hard to get my hands on half the time anyway! With 6-7 pts there is way to much going on not to have a working brain sheet to refer to. It looks like you're wking in the ICU's so Im sure you have alot fewer pts than I..which makes it alittle easier to keep your pts info straight.

And thats fine if you dont want to come in any earlier..whatever works for you..but for me and some others the way it works best for us is to come in prior to our report to prepare. I work on a med-surg renal/vasc/urology floor, we all get 6 sometimes 7 pts..our pts are very sick..having that kind of ratio is another ongoing issue on our unit..its so unsafe. Many of the docs think we are a step-down unit or think we should be. We have a taped report..we are expected to listen to the taped report on our assignment as well as the other pts on our hall while we are writing and reading info from the kardexs. The taped report is important..lots of info that we need..I can not listen, write and read at the same time..its just way to confusing! Our kardexs have a ton of info that we need at our finger tips to care for our pts that we have to put on our brain sheeets (IVF, drsg chg info, CAPD solutions/schedules, DRs, Hx, Dx, Pending/scheduled tests, procedures, labs, FR, any restrictions, ect ect) ..I have always come in early, on my dime, to add that info to my sheet that I need to take better care of my pts which then I feel even more prepared and focused to actually listen to the taped report. I think our jobs are tough enough without this added problem. We are expected to know and do everything..yet it seems like a road block is always put up making things even tougher! Im not on the clock, Im not asking to be paid, I am a nurse that will care for the pts for that day so who cares if I get the info from the kardex beore 0645, Im not going to share pts info just bc I have my assignmt early, Im not looking to get hurt for a WC claim..I just want time to prepare for my day..the way that works best for me, the way that makes me feel prepared to give the best care I can..why doesnt that matter anymore? With 6-7 pts I dont have any extra time to keep going back to the chart to check things..some pts need vitals q 1hr. q4 or q8, BS cks are different, everyone has different FR, IVF, dressing change times/solutions, we do CAPD at the bedside..sometimes the solution chages every other exchg, we have fistula and neuro cks that are ordered differently for each pt..ect, ect. I'm just so frustrated with this and ****** that this is now after 2 yrs such a huge problem! Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.

Hi everyone! My unit was just told that starting next week our pt assignmt will not be posted until 5 min until shift starts...there are some nurses including myself that arrive to work early..on our time(not clocking in early) to look at our kardexs and prepare our brian sheets...we are not doing anything except looking at kardexs in the report room, it helps us all feel alittle more prepared for our day and more prepared to take report..according to our supervisor, she said that our legal departmt is sayin its a "legal issue" and they will no longer allow staff to come in early as we have done for yrs. I dont understand why this is a legal issue? We are no doing any pt care..doing nothing but looking at the kardexs...and we are not asking to be paid...does anyone know why this would be a legal issue? I really need the extra time to feel prepared..it has been my routine since i started 2 yrs ago i am very upset about this and just do not understand why it would all of a sudden be an issue?? I could understand if we were asking to be paid for the time or jumping in and doing pt care..we dont even anwser the phones??! Does anyone understand this? Ive talked with my supervisor and explained to her that I really need that time..she says its not her, its our legal departmt. If anyone has any suggestions as to how I can keep my routine I would greatly apprecated!!! I do it for myself and Im not and would never expect to be paid for this time.

Thanks ruralgirl 08! :redpinkhe

How long does it normally take to get results? I've read some rec them in 48 hrs and others have waited up to 2 weeks?

I start my first nursing position next month and it will be in Med-Surg. I'm very excited and nervous...and will continue reading these helpful postings..thanks for all the great info!!

Hi! I'm in the Toledo area and work in Med-Surg

I have never even witnessed a code...I hope that I will be able to stay calm and remember what to do when the situation arises

Hi..anyone wearing Nike Shox? Which ones do u like best..there are so many out there

I think its best to stay with the same brand..otherwise I found the colors are way off..I have to wear navy blue..and I was surprised how the different the color was between the brands

CONGRATS!! How did u study for NCLEX?

Hi Everyone! I graduated in Dec 08 and start on a med-surg floor Feb 2..still waiting for my ATT...and hoping I get it soon!!

I dont like them because they are to wide and I end up tripping over my feet and turning my ankles. For those of you that like them, I bought mine for under 30.00 w free s/h from http://www.shoebuy.com.

Things are not good in Toledo, Ohio..there are so many graduate nurses that have no leads at all here, some have accepted positions that require an hr and half drive and a couple even decided to take weekend only positions at the Cleveland Clinic, which is over a 2 hr drive from here. There are alot of hospitals in Toledo..they just are not hiring like they use to.