29 pts as a tech..can i handle being a nurse?

Ms Kylee · Nov 21, 2007

No, it's not you.. it's a high caseload and I've been there. Took me half a shift to do everyone's vitals then I had to start all over again. I hate getting pulled to other floors because no matter what you do, you're always behind the eight ball from the time you start.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Nov 21, 2007

You were assigned 28 patients to handle all alone and you feel guilty because you couldn't get everything done?

You're kidding me right?

Maybe it was a fluke but if that is the way the place is run I would find another job.

When you are thrown to the wolves you have to do what you can to survive. You start by doing what is absolutely necessary and leaving what can wait for the next shift. They will not like it but it's not your fault that you had 28 patients to deal with. A load that high is just plain old wrong.

vamedic4, EMT-P · Nov 21, 2007

You were assigned 28 patients to handle all alone and you feel guilty because you couldn't get everything done?
You're kidding me right?
Maybe it was a fluke but if that is the way the place is run I would find another job.
When you are thrown to the wolves you have to do what you can to survive. You start by doing what is absolutely necessary and leaving what can wait for the next shift. They will not like it but it's not your fault that you had 28 patients to deal with. A load that high is just plain old wrong.

I agree with this...

If I were assigned 28 patients, first thing I'd do is inform each RN that they were responsible for AT LEAST one of their patients VS, that cuts my load by about 6. 22 patients is more manageable than 28, but still inexcusable. The fact that 3 techs left without helping you out means that the word "teamwork" was absent from their orientation manual...yet another inexcusable action.

See if the nurses can't help you out...if you see them sitting around, ask...can you get 0400 vitals on Mr. Jenkins?? Many nurses are good about helping, they just aren't thinking about the tech because they're too busy charting or doing other things.

I agree with the other poster...if this continues...find another job. As a nurse, you'll never be assigned that many patients on your own (**assuming you're in a facility that's worth working in, that is**) And as a tech, I wouldn't tolerate that for a second. They don't pay you enough.

:trout:

vamedic4

sistasoul · Nov 21, 2007

You did great. 28 patients is to many. I work as an aide also and when I am by myself I have the whole floor and it is usually 31 patients. The nurses help out and get their own vitals becuase if they don't they will not get them in a timely manner. They need them by the time they go to assess their patients. Maybe the nurses on your floor could have helped. Don't be hard on yourself. No one can be expected to be on top pf 28 patients.

Take care,

Heather

Medic04 · Nov 21, 2007

The other night i was pulled to a new floor and I was assigned 28 patients. I am a tech and will graduate with my RN in June. I was behind as soon as I had gotten there. There were 4 techs that were leaving and 11:00pm vitals were due. None of the vitals had been done so I was starting them at 11:00. It takes a long time to get the 28 VS because whenever you go into a patients room there several other things that need to be done in addition to the VS.
I was running around all night. This was my second shift on my own off of orientation. I was working 11-7am and was the only tech on the floor. I had to do 0200 and 0400 blood sugars, blood draws and VS again. Also I threw in an EKG written at 0500 which I didn't get to until 0600. I am not very good at blood draws yet and the other RN's said they didn't know how to draw blood.
Anyways, my question is I was so overwhelmed that night and am now questioning my ability to be an RN. Is this normal? Should I be concerned? I felt I was never caught up and by the end of the shift I felt I had disappointed the nurses.
I wasn't sure where to post. If it needs to be moved please do so. I really need encouragement.
I called in monday night becuase i was so distraught about friday. I am working again thursday and saturday 2300-0700 and I'm worried this is going to happen all over again
Thanks for reading.

am sorry this happened to you.

If the other techs had any consideration for you, they would have either

1. started the vitals for you

2, stayed to help

3. done them for you.

But that said I am a "Tech" many times and left to do 22 by myself on a CC floor. I hope and pray things get better for you.

EmmaG, RN · Nov 21, 2007

There were 4 techs that were leaving and 11:00pm vitals were due.

When I was charge, I assigned the techs leaving to get VS before they signed out if there was only one coming on at 11pm. Even if they'd only taken 1/2, that would certainly have helped. If nothing else, the nurses can do their own VS, as they are going into the rooms anyway on their rounds, while you cover call-lights, bathroom stuff, etc.

No excuse for what you had to go through.

swee2000 · Nov 21, 2007

The other night i was pulled to a new floor and I was assigned 28 patients.

28 patients by yourself? Are my eyes reading that correctly? What kind of place do you work at?

Makes me appreciate a 6-patient assignment a whole lot more.

catlynLPN · Nov 21, 2007

You got dumped on.

abooker · Nov 21, 2007

When I was a night shift tech with my usual floor to myself, most of my nurses were extremely helpful. They drew their own blood for labs or asked a colleague who was more comfortable with blood draws. Often, an evening shift tech would stay late and take at least half of the vitals for me. The usual reason for my being alone was because the other tech was sitting with a resident who was agitated or who had dementia, and not because he or she called in.

I had problems sometimes, when I was called to another floor and was the only tech. I'll never forget being criticized in public for repeatedly asking for help in moving a tall, 425 pound patient by myself. He was having breathing problems so his head was elevated, and he kept sliding down the mattress. I'd lower his head, but wasn't having any success pulling him up using the draw sheet from the head of the bed. My arms were too short to get a good grip, and the pt. couldn't help me because he was terrified he'd mess up his IV site again. I found out later I could've elevated his feet while pulling the draw sheet and let gravity help me. His critical nurse had unrealistic expectations about what I could do; she'd probably never been a tech herself and had no idea what I was having to go through. Also, a more experienced tech would've figured out the tricks of the trade.

I fervently agree with Medic04 and Emmanuel Goldstein. The four 3-11 techs who were leaving should've helped you out. You shouldn't have been floated to another floor on your second shift on your own off orientation. These other nurses may have been unaware that you were in over your head r/t being new. Sometimes you need to ask for help or they won't know you need it. The tech who oriented me could do a whole floor alone without breaking a sweat. She was from LTC, a nursing home where high patient loads were typical, and she had years of experience. That tech is one of the reasons I went into LTC; the techs and nurses I thought were most skillful were from LTC and used to coping with high patient loads.

Hang in there. You'll get more efficient at meeting patient needs, and more comfortable with asking other team members for help. The vast majority of us want the same thing; the best possible outcomes for the people we care for. I'm sorry you had this bad experience. I like being an LPN more than being a tech; I have nurses to help me when I'm feeling overwhelmed, and I have nursing assistants to help me with the call lights and other stuff. Please don't question your ability; it wasn't you, it was the situation.

EmmaG, RN · Nov 21, 2007

I had problems sometimes, when I was called to another floor and was the only tech. I'll never forget being criticized in public for repeatedly asking for help in moving a tall, 425 pound patient by myself. He was having breathing problems so his head was elevated, and he kept sliding down the mattress. I wasn't having any luck pulling him up using the draw sheet from the head of the bed. I tried;

Never do this, please. I don't care how much the patient weighs. When moving a patient, always get help. You'll be no good to anyone (most importantly yourself and your family) when you're crippled with a messed-up back.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 21, 2007

I think you were definitely dumped on.