Satsun

well this whole time i was not aware that comments were being posted until today. Thanks for everyone's input. No, I didn't mean to refer to CNAs as MY inferiors and I respect my CNAs and never degrade them since us nurses depend on them so much, hence why that mistake on my part happened because neither I nor the CNA could attend to the pt's needs. I was using the term inferiors same as superiors. anyway, We get this drilled into our heads that CNAs are working under us, we need to delegate and supervise because it's OUR LICENSE ON THE LINE. so That's where i got that idea. When i tried to talk it out with my supervisor, she again repeated this same thing... even if CNA was supposed to tend to the pt, it was MY patient and MY license, hence I get the write up. hard to argue or stir up a debate when saying Anything could potentially lead to me sounding like "fire me, I don't care." So in fear of losing my job, it felt necessary to just go with it, lay low and not attract any more attention. anyway, I'm down to Per Diem from full time, so I'll focusing on my BSN until i get a better opportunity and will leave this place for good. Thanks everyone for your input.

+Buckybadger: yes, but who gets the write up? the lower people. The charge nurses/supervisors may get their butt chewed but higher ups in this facility are all one, mixing together with outings etc, so no one really gets in trouble. and my supervisor that day had been on the floor helping accommodate for the 6 pts to each nurse by doing a couple med passes and hanging IVs so she was bragging about how she "cares" and was helping on the floor versus being in the office. So from her perspective, she was already doing so much so we shouldn't be making any more excuses.. the funny thing: she told me to go in to the family and not make excuses and just apologize. the family didn't want to hear apologies, which left me with nothing. As soon as SHE goes in, the first thing she does is apologize because we were short staffed.. i overheard and was like "wow.. hypocrite"..

I completely agree. Understaffing has been an issue and all the higher ups are turning the other way when anyone says that that's to be blamed for all the mistakes. they simply say "yea we know you're busy but.. still as a nurse bla bla" I got a "one on one" for not following up in documentation regarding a pain medication.. like, I would know if the pain med didn't work, I would've followed up with a stronger med! but no, it's because I didn't go back, click the pain med and do the follow up. I got lectured on what as a nurse I must be doing. "Assessments are basic".. yea no ****! But what if I'm late on med pass, i'm in trouble. If i stay overtime, i'm in trouble. if I don't do my job, i'm in trouble. so.. i'm in trouble no matter what! And regarding the CNA issue, if nurses tell them "sorry i can't help you do a pull-up" they go straight to the higher ups and nurses get in trouble for not helping the CNAs. and CNAs intentionally don't ask another CNA because they know if we say NO, we get in trouble. I mean, is this not sabotage?? I'm in process of applying for other jobs.

+middleagednurse :: That's exactly what's wrong with nursing. We are responsible for catching even the slightest cough that could potentially be fatal and "critically think up a storm" yet when it comes to being treated as people, "we don't have any rights"?? bull. +Beentheredonethat thanks, I've applied to about 4 jobs since then, whatever was available, really. Can't refuse, don't wanna fall under their radar of attention and become a potential target. I've seen people get fired/quit because they fell under the radar of attention of the higher ups.. I wanna lay low and get out quietly. +Buckybadger, the reason why I said it is because that's what I've been told and that's what we study! our inferiors are working under our license, we oversee their work. Hardly ever do I feel as their supervisor, more like "please don't risk me losing my license"... thanks to everyone that replied.

I'd been thinking about it but after this situation I'm definitely searching. thanks

mrsboots87 You make a good point, whatever I write can later be used against me... and I guess it is what it is. Thanks for everyone's input.

Brownbook: Thanks. I understand that stating facts and admitting my mistake(s) makes more of an impact than crying about other peoples' fault. But I HAD admitted my mistake, saying that as busy as it was with the morning routine, med pass, everyone's call lights, I could've done better, avoided the mistake, but you do have to take all this into account for the reason that this mistake was made. That's when I was told "even if you're right, it doesn't matter." So for this write up, do I simply re-state all that in the comments? It's not fair to me if I simply sign it and write "I will do better"... it wasn't just me involved in making that mistake :\

So my new place of work is slowly turning into a crappy place. over the last month RNs have gone from 3-4 pts to 5-6 plus managing IVs for the LVNs who have gone from 4-5 to 6 pts. Poor CNAs have gone from 7-8pts to 10-14pts each!! We are all suffering and mistakes are bound to happen, and have been happening. Patients are suffering, and so is the reputation of the facility. Can we expect anything BUT a less than perfect standard of care with such overload on all the staff? Well, I'm being written up for something a family made a huge issue about, no one in the team is getting blamed but me. I've got alot on my mind on what is unfair in this case but what can I write in the comments to make myself seem just and the write up unjust? CNA got no consequences for the mistake, none. But because she falls under my license, I have to take the write up. CNAs have been seen standing together around the corner, listening to music, on their phones, and when it comes to answer a call light, they simply say "I was busy" and they go free. What can I say to defend myself?? btw I was told word for word "nothing else matters except the care we provide. Even if you're right, it doesn't matter." Makes me feel like I have no rights as an RN! Thanks, any advice would help before I go in to sign this write up.

Were you to blame any more than the cna?? Was there a write up? Call and ask

great examples! thank you :) i'm currently in exact same position, applying EVERYWHERE. now only trouble is getting through to someone to give me an interview, considering all i've had since 2 yrs of graduation is SNF experience, not good. i'm out of the New Grad program range, so that sucks. But since i'm applying everywhere , how do you follow up when you've applied for a Float Pool position? and if i try to follow up with someone in a specialty floor, they rerout me to HR, who dont want to be bothered by anything you have to say... conundrum. advice?

thanks Rose_Queen, good to know :) and Kalycat, thanks too.. i wonder why they say they like LTC experience for OR, wouldn't have thought they have anything in similar except prioritizing which any field of nursing does lol. But thanks! i haven't seen any residencies in my area but having been an RN for 2 yrs, i dont think i qualify for any newgrad programs... question: if i dont have the Periop 101 done, does employer provide upon employment or should i do it before applying for job?

thanks Rose_Queen, good to know :)

HI! i wanted opinions from nurses regarding someone (me) not having had any acute care experience (i've been working in LTC for 2 yrs) getting a job in the OR.. is it smarter to pass on that and go into med surg/PCU? obviously i'm gonna take what i can get, but if i'm just starting out, would jumping into OR be too high of a start? opinions/experiences appreciated :)

thanks much, appreciate it :) dont really know how to delete my comment lol. oh well

i couldn't PM for some reason.. so it's [email protected]. leme know so i can delete when you've sent it. appreciate it mucho ^_^ and thanks everyone for commenting, it helps