alicern1950

I wanted to apply for a job as an RN at a local hospital. The specific department has 3 units with a total of 60 beds. Currently I was told by a friend that there are 15 RN's out on disability. My friend says the new administration is rude, insensitive to the huge work load and the units are usually out of compliance with state regulations. The nurses are working 12 hour shifts .- I originally thought it would be great to work 12 hour shifts - until I was told about the working conditions. Before , I look for other places to work I need to know the following . 1. Is this the norm in nursing now? 2. Am I wise not to apply for a job at this hospital or am I making a big deal out of few comments from friends who don't like their jobs. 3. If I do apply and am hired how can I minimize the stress and not end up on disability? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

You could have lost your life I hope there was an investigation from the top administration to your level . There is an expectation that psych nursing is dangerous but everytime you enter a patients room alone psych or otherwise it can lead to a tragedy. 3 years ago I and a colleague were pushed into a corner and beaten by a psychotic man. However the nursing staff was trained to respond to any scream and we are both here to talk about it .Now there have been massive changes with a new administration and no one is safe . The number of assaults have dramatically increased staff are being hired and allowed to work in this unit without sufficient training. At at a monthly meeting with administration I attempted to start a conversation about how to improve safety on the unit not one of the top level administrators even acknowledged my attack. That's when I should have known that there is no interest in preventing staff injuries here and maybe I should look for another place to work. We need protection on the job. Nursing staff should not only demand improvements in patient safety but also staff safety.

is it OK for hospitalists to sign off a patient to a nurse ? My friends who work in a hospital that has added hospitalists to the medical staff are alarmed that these hospitalists have been told to sign off to the nursing staff after they order their medication and do their H and P. My nursing instructor always said that an RN signs off to an RN and an MD to an MD of the same specialty . My friends are worried that if they complain to their supervisors they will be "let go" or charged with malpractice if the patient has a bad outcome. Has anybody else had this experience- I always thought hospitalists were a good idea but this changes my opinion.