mirage

Hour? I am the CN in the unit. I work from 0900 to 1730...We, for two years have been holding all the ICU, CCU, PCU patients, usually due to "staffing" in these units,sometimes for lack of beds. Recently, we have been holding the floor patients also. This is what's happening..I worked an hour late that day and was on call that evening. (call is from 2030 - 0700) Came back in at 2030, stayed all night with our patient in ICU, went home, slept 2 hours and came back and worked until 0100 that day(was on call that night also). I have talked to admin. They say we're trying and that' all I get. There are 7 fte's in this department. No midnight shift, they took that away. They also did away with our secretary, resp Therapist and Transporter. We do from 10 t0 30 cases a day. We do all specialties, from ECT's to hearts. And my morning crew has to go to SHA to help them. By the way, this call thing happened 3 times last week, and is staring this week all over again. This has been happening like I said for a couple of years, but is getting worse. By the way, our unit has room for 8 patients. nice and modern, but small. I am not a cry baby, I've been an RN for 21 years. Background in ICU, CCU, & PACU. Does anyone have any ideas?

Please does anyone have ASPAN standards for minimum staffing in PACU and any Nursing Standards regarding how many hours an RN can work in a shift ???? I need something in print if I can find it. Our PACU personel are being worked to death. We are losing staff, call hours have been made longer, PRN's are not allowed because of budget, etc. Our hours are becoming unbearable...Is this just in Kentucky????? Sandy