whitsj2

Yesterday we had 2 nurses on the unit. Me and another...7 each and they gave him an 8th. I have been trying to find laws on staffing for nursing in PA. Or at least find who I would talk to.... They are sucking the life out of me.

Ok, I have been ano RNC for 6 years in a busy Oncology/Medical unit. Over the time I have been employed as a nurse, I have seen staffing up and down. We do have a large turnover, and most of the time are short handed. Just a brief background, when I started I had no hands on patient medical experience. I got oriented then thrown into giving extremely potent pain medications (as we take care of a lot of cancer pain). I had 3 deaths in my first 3 months...it was a lot that first year. I got through it and learned a lot. I stuck with this unit, because I enjoy the oncology portion and have mrant a couple wonderful coworkers that have basically got meverything through my days. The more I learn the art of nursing, the more concerned I get. I look back and know now that my orientation was not long enough, nor should I have been given the acuity of patients I was right out of orientation. Lately, the census has been very high in the whole hospital. The nurses are carrying 6 to 7 patients on day shift- and acuity is NEVER looked at when making assignments. We rarely are given more than one nurses aide, which is ridiculous because we are a fast paced unit with very sick patients! The moral is low, call offs have been frequent and mistakes are being made. I feel like I have no control. I worked hard for my license and I really do not want something to happen to put it in jeporady. I leave feeling like I accomplished nothing.... There is no way we are able to take care of our patients plus do all the "extras" that administration expects of us. I'm concerned for the patients and the staff. Where do I turn? Who do I talk to? Nurses have talked to our manager, the nursing manager and nothing is done. The answers they get are absurd. If no one running the hospital cares, then who COULD I turn to? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks, Stacey