Shirl57

I so appreciate everyone's input. I wanted to hear the positive and the negative to weigh things out. I will still stand my ground regarding her dementia, her quick movements, her fears and the safety of her transfer. . . Had it been someone else, there is no doubt in my mind that I would have used a Hoyer - this really wasn't the right situation for her. Heck, maybe I'm still wrong - but in my heart, I still feel using my nursing judgement was actually the safest.

Just to clarify some things: When she stood from her chair, she was no more than 5 feet from me. I was the only nurse on duty and had two med aides. The MA's were busy putting people to bed and giving baths. I guess my biggest issue, was that I knew it would be unsafe trying to get her in the lift jacket, let alone raise her into the air. I truely believe she then would have had an injury for sure!

The 'no lift' policy means that we are not to physically lift our patients/residents. If they cannot easily transfer on their own, they are to use a stand lift or Hoyer!!!

if there are 28 residents, and they all require meds, how is one nurse supposed to safely administer them all? Of course you can also throw in the behaviors, refusing to take meds , doctors returning calls, families needing updates, finding errors in med postings and having to research for the med order - all at the same time!

Last week I had to lower a patient to the floor to avoid a fall. This patient is recovering from a fx hip and has severe dementia. The patient is also a 1:1 through out the evening shift (sundowners too). While I had her in my care, I had to turn to pull a narcotic PRN for another resident, while still looking back to watch her. When she stood up from her wheel chair I could tell she was about to fall and I caught her. She was pushing away the w/c so I had no choice but to lower her to the floor. Now - I also knew that if I used the Hoyer lift to pick her up from the floor she would not understand, be frightened, fight it, and possibly harming herself, me and another staff member whom I asked to help. But I also knew that guiding her to stand using her 'good leg' and the gait belt, we could safely place her back in her chair. She had the strength to stand up easily. Our facility is a 'No Lift' facility. However, she is a two assist transfer. Here is the question: Was I wrong in NOT using the Hoyer? I had just gotten written up for not doing so. Sorry this so lengthy - I really need some advice!

When I was in nursing school, I was the oldest in my class! (Just turned 50!) I had a clinical instructor who often berated and degraded me (this was her first year of teaching!). I was glad my other classmates saw this also because I was honestly wondering if I was blowing things out of proportion or if I was being too sensitive! This instructor even implied that maybe I was too old to be going into nursing! Yes, I considered changing schools but NOT quiting! Then when it came to the end of our schooling - we had a chance to rate the instructors! Not wanting to be vindictive - but we ALL gave her a bad review - we knew that I would NOT be her last victim! As far as I know, that was her first and last year teaching!