quitting!!

The other day they left me in charge of a critical care unit that I've only worked in once. There weren't many patients but they left me by myself. Hello!! What if someone codes? I had one to prep for open heart and another ETOH user who kept trying to run away and pooping everywhere. I could have choked her. That night I couldn't sleep until 3am b/c I kept replaying it all over and over in my mind. It was such a mess.

You were ALONE in the unit?

You better check your hospital policies on staff ratio in your critical care units, and talk with your nurse manager.

There's supposed to be at least 2 RN's in the unit at all times when there's a situation like that in our facility.

This is very disturbing that you were left alone. What about the house supervisor? What did she have to say?

I probably would quit too, but I wouldn't have accepted that assignment either.

I'm sorry about your night, but this needs to be reported to your DON as well as the Chief of Staff.

you poor thing. that is unbelievable and totally unacceptable. i would probably go to the director of nursing and let her know the situation that occurred. i would also let her know that you did not feel comfortable or safe:madface: .

hang in there.

I am so sorry that happened...I am sure that wasn't supose to in any means of the LAW! That is horrid, and I would certainly let the management know!

If worse came to worse a drop of the 'JCAHO' never hurt either! But watch your battle on that one.

No, I would be going elsewhere or amending your schedule to make sure that NEVER happens again there or elsewhere!

That is why I love agency now...I can choose not to go back without any probelms! And believe me...I have!

definitely unacceptable, please report

Not acceptable to be left alone in any unit. Period.

It is a "step down unit" complete with everything ICU doesn't have room for. There were only 3 patients but that is one more than they are supposed to leave a step down nurse with. I am a flex nurse who works all over the hospital and that was my 2nd day in step down. They tried to send me two admissions and I told them to forget about it. They sent me a nurse and 2 admissions after a few hours of being alone with blockage man and pooping alcohol woman. The first time I worked there they left me in charge with 5 patients 2 on dopamine with low bps that weren't responding and an orientee who had worked at the hospital for 3 days!!!

The other day they left me in charge of a critical care unit that I've only worked in once. There weren't many patients but they left me by myself. Hello!! What if someone codes? I had one to prep for open heart and another ETOH user who kept trying to run away and pooping everywhere. I could have choked her. That night I couldn't sleep until 3am b/c I kept replaying it all over and over in my mind. It was such a mess.

oh dear.......you poor thing. report it, you should really find a better place to work!! :icon_hug:

I'd try to report it to the DON and get her reaction of it first. If she doen't think it was a big deal, then I'd find a better and safer job.