hotshot05

Our RRT is not connected to our ICU at all. It consists of 1 RN, 1RT, house supervisor, and family practice residents come for "learning experience." We only require 2 years of nursing experience to be on RRT, and recommendation from our director. We have coverage 24/7. An RRT nurse can be an ER, ICU, OR, med/surg nurse, etc. They carry a pager and respond to RRT when paged. Most RRT nurses work the floor and have their own patients. I don't really like it, sometimes you are too busy with your own patients then have to leave for RRT and sometimes can be tied up for a very long time. It might be worth it to say that our hospital is a level 3 trauma, no heart surgeries. 12 bed ICU, 6 bed progressive unit, then 4 med/surg untits that hold about 30-35 patients each.

I suppose it really depends on the facility/unit. I work on cardiac/tele floor. I've been RN about 7 months now on nights. The more comfortable/confident/faster I get the better. Most nights aren't too bad. However, on my floor we get A LOT of admissions on nights because all chest painers, stable cardiac patients come to our floor. We have a house secretary so we just call them when we get admits and they do all the orders for us. I couldn't imagine starting on days and being a new nurse. It's chaotic after 630am when the docs come in early and you have to wait to finish up am charting. I would be too paranoid on days that I would miss new orders. Nights- has a little more charting to do, check MARs, carry over plan of care, 24 hour checks and evals. Good luck and congrats on almost being done!

Thanks for everyone's support/advice. It's been a busy week, I just got off of 4 in a row (on nights). I wrote up a letter explaining the facts and what I would like to see happen and a follow up with the MD. One of the NP from the office called and spoke to me. She said that an incident report was submitted and I would be sent a copy (haven't yet). And this would be adressed, blah, blah, blah. She went on and on explaining about the Hep A side effects, that it's going to be required and so on. Which totally isnt the point. It was a med error and that really needs to be the focus. I haven't heard anything since last tuesday. The NP appologized on behalf of the office. I still don't feel like they see it as anything serious. I've decided to take my kids elsewhere. If I don't here from the doctor within a few days, I will try again. I just want to make sure that this is addressed. After all, it was a med error! I'm not out looking to sue anyone. But this should be treated seriuosly. Thanks again for all the support

I hear ya. I hate nights when I have to work without a tech. We only have 1 that works nights. So 4 nights a week no tech. Even with a tech I'm running around a lot. I bought a pair of SAS shoes because my mom just swears by them. Yikes my feet/legs still hurt. What I have found that works for me is I bought a pair of Dr. Sholl's inserts. The ones for heel pain (they are about 3/4 length of shoe). And I wear support socks. My feet still hurt some in the morning but not as bad as they used to. I try to sit for atleast 5-10 min every couple hours (if possible) Thats the only advice I have Good luck

Well, I'm off this morning to meet with the office manager. I have a detailed letter of the events. A request for incident report to be filed and a copy to be sent to me and a request to speak to the physician in charge of the office. Just for clarification, the Hep A vaccine was NOT ordered by the NP. She circled Hep A for education. That is where the mix up occurred. Thank you everyone for all your input and concern. It has been very helpful in deciding the next step to take. thanks again for all your support

This was a pediatrician's office. I don't know if she (who administered vaccine) was a nurse (rn/lpn) or a medical assistant. She never introduced herself or gave title. I did find out from the receptionist her name though. The NP was very sympathetic and I did see her go over and talk to this person who gave the vaccine. What was said, I don't know. I just didn't know what else to do at the time. I was just told to call the office manager on monday.

Thanks all for your input. I'm going to type up a letter and meet face to face with the office manager tomorrow. I have been with this office for over 5 yrs and have never had an experience like this. i have 2 boys. I will definitely let them know that this has dropped my confidence with their office. Besides the office manager (aren't they just adimin) who would I go to? The hospital that this office goes through?? Thanks again.

My son is 8 years old. He had a well-child check up Friday. NP said he's due for varrivax booster and they also recommend Hep A. I had never heard of Hep A for kids. She said that it's not a new vaccination, but they've only been giving it to kids for about a month. Ok, I'll think about it. She says thats fine, she'll give me the paper work. In walks nurse/med assistant (not sure title). She's giong to do finger poke and what I think is varivax. She was very rude from the very beginning of the appointment. Anyhow, she just grabs his finger and pokes, doesnt even give a chance to explain this to my son are ask him if he's ready. Poke! Just does it. I know he's 8 and won't say he ready, but come on a little warning would have been nice for both of us. Then she asks him where he wants his shot. "Will you hold still like a big boy and take it in the arm like the big boys do, or do we have to use your leg like the babies" I interrupted her and said that the leg would be better because the muscle is bigger and it won't be as tender afterward. So I get him ready and as I'm distracting him she pops in the shot, again no warning to either one of us. I did not see her give the shot, but then I see her put 2 bandaids on, one on each leg. Ok, whats going on. I ask her to give me a copy of what she just gave him. Sure as heck, she gave him the Hep A also. I brought this to her attention and she says, well she wrote for me to give both, I gave you the sheets, and there's really no harm. Sorry. Then walks away. I told the receptionist Sorry just isnt' good enough. I then talk to the NP who says she did not order for the Hep A only the varrivax, but that on the education she circled both varrivax and Hep A so I could look at the info. The person who gave the shot comes back over and says, well I can't take it back, and it's actually a good thing. Yes, maybe this is a little mistake and no harm was done. But she didn't even own her mistake. She wouldn't have told anyone if I wouldn't have brought it up. I was told to call the office manager on Monday to speak to them. All I want is just an acknowledgement that it was a mistake. This lady was in a big rush since the beginning of his appt. And quite rude for being in peds office. What if it would have been something else. I am not overreacting, am I? Now, he has a huge (larger than 50 cent piece red swollen area that is slightly warm on one leg. I don't even know which one went into which leg. I'm sure thats normal. Thanks for listening to my vent.