As a charge nurse on a med/surg unit during the 7p shift, I am guaranteed to hear this at least one time each shift.
Yes, it's a busy shift; yes, I know you have another 4-5 patients; yes, I know Mr. Johnson needs his dressing changed and Mrs. Conner needs her PRN Norco...but it's your turn. You're up, everyone else has had an admit.
It's a simple fact on our floor--patient come to hospital; s/he is ill or has a surgical procedure planned; s/he is needing to be admitted; each admission needs a nurse. What is so hard to understand.
I help "my" staff lots with admits. I open and set up the room (if our aides are busy). I get all the stuff ready so you don't have to hunt for it--IV pole there; O2, Flowmeter, Christmas tree ready; tele monitor and leads there; admission kit on table; wound care supplies there if needed; NG tube or oral suction ready and waiting. And I'm gonna be in the room, so if there's something missing, I'll run and get it.
I help get the patient settled in and grab the orders.
I put the chart together, enter the orders, write out the MAR's, fill out the home med sheet and immunization sheet--if I can. The only thing I HAVE to do is put the chart together and enter the orders. The rest I do to help So basically the RN/LVN gets the patient in bed, assesses him, connects any tubes/lines, then take the completed paperwork. If there's any problems, I'll call the doc. I won't leave anybody hanging.
So that admit really wasn't that bad--half your stuff (paperwork) is done, your room was set up appropriately, all your orders are in.
I can't make it easier than that--do the computer assessment and care plan and you're done. (I do the computer stuff too, about 50% of the time).
Why is it such a big deal to get an admit? Why do you have to **** and moan about it? Why are you arguing that "it's not fair" or "it's not my turn"?
Put your big girl panties on, hush your mouth, and take the patient!
