Oprn54

I agree with Pixie. A lot of balls were dropped that night which I'm sure none were intentional, or done with malice towards the resident. First of all...if you're the only RN on that shift...they are ALL your residents. You are in charge whether you want to be or not...or whether you feel ready to be. I think they did you a great diservice by putting you in that position at least not without a more experienced nurse on hand. The lvn should have been checking on the resident, and the fact that it wasnt noticed til 4 AM suggests she wasn't very viligent. Also the nurse you asked to start the IV should have at least gone to the room and done her own assessment before stating she was too busy. If I was DON I wouldn't fire you, but everyone involved would be written up and educated. If you end up getting fired over this you probably are better off cutting your losses and finding a facility more in tune to new grads and what they are and arent capable of. Critical thinking is a skill and not one that comes when you get your liscense. It takes time, and experience to develop. I think in the situation you were in you handled it welll. Best of luck to you :)

One of my residents was flipping through channels on TV. I said Ellens on do you want to watch her? She said..Oh, is that the one they suspect is gay? lol hilarious:lol2:

Typically in the nursing home setting trach care is a clean procedure, not sterile which is also the case with cathing a resident. You maintain as clean work area as possible, follow your standard precautions. Hospitals - sterile, long term care - clean.

That is insane! Of course you did the right thing...I seriously want to know the reasoning behind that DON's thinking. She got upset because you gave ordered glucagon for a blood sugar of 23?? If you had waited until that resident was unconscious it would have been too late she would probably have been dead! Sleep well tonight you did exactly what any prudent nurse would have done...the right thing.

That is an inspirational story :) I do agree with the other posts that she should be cautious about revealing too much about her past. In someones mean, spiteful hands it could harm the very thing shes working so hard for. I wish you both the best of luck.:)

By the way, I also agree that no one should be fired in this case, but absoulutely use this for some education/refresher teaching on transfers and protocol, and the importance of follow up, follow up, follow up!

Its obvious by your account that the RN basically took charge of the transfer. As the RN, and supervisor she should have made sure the transfer was complete which includes a report called to the ER especially with a possible head trauma. She also should have documented the assessment and the transfer, and waited until lpn 2 got off the phone to give her a report on what was done with her resident. The RN could have delegated some of this to the LPN that was assisting, but still should have followed up to make sure everything was done before she left. In the long term care setting the RN is always the supervisor, and unless someone with more authority was present and involved the buck stops with the RN.