catlady348

1. Rarely do I spend what I feel is ENOUGH time at the bedside. 2. On average I spend 25-30 %of my shift actually with the patients. That incledes assessment, meds, drsgs and other little things like asst to bathroom, starting IVs etc. 3.Majority of time is spent on documentation. The amt of paperwork we are required to do has become overwhelming in the last 2-3 yrs. 4.Streamlining the documentation would help immensely. Some of the things we need to document literally need documented in 4-5 different areas of the chart in various formats. 5. I WISH WE HAD BEDSIDE MONITORS! That is a fantasy of mine. I'd settle for a couple more vital sign machines for our unit. I spend a lot of time searching for one of the 2 machines on our floor or begging other units to borrow one of their machines if we ever have more than 2 patients at a time that need frequent vitals. 6.Havent tried the yellow sashes, but it doesnt sound like a feasible idea where I work. I also dont see how it would increase time spent with the patients.

not too difficult in southern CA, working some overtime but not alot, but again with cost of living not that much leftover.

As a single mom of school age child, 12 hr nite shifts have worked better than any other schedule!