Recently Transferred in IMCU, ready to transfer back OUT!!!

burn out · Jan 25, 2006

I've been an RN for 10 yrs and have loved it! ready for a new challenge, and transferred to IMCU (12 bed unit), I was really excited at first, but now i'm ready to transfer back out! They are so bassackwards!!! Orientation consisted of 1 day with a seasoned nurse (said I would get more orientation once they get their new grads situated!)...that should have been a heads up that I should have stayed put in med/surg...
staffing...the manager doesn't get the schedule out til 1 day before the schedule starts! it's only a 12 bed unit!!! what is the problem!!!
new charge nurse...twitchy...she is real twitchy...a patient going bad has the same anxiety level as does a patient have a fall precaution band on...I'm an excellent nurse, and i anticipate patients needs as well as the other nurses & support staff, I don't appreciate a charge nurse flying in my face about a fall precaution band...
I have a meeting with the manager on tuesday and I am compiling a list of my issues with the unit. I am eager to help, i've even offered to help with getting the schedule situated monthly...
I transferred to imcu to expand my knowledge, i float all over the hospital and I had greater expectations for this department...
it is just such a let down...
anyone with similar experiences and how did you approach your manager? I don't want to seem like the new kid who thinks she knows all the answers.
Other nurses that have transferred out said "scheduling? it's always been like that."
linda

If you really want to learn and expand your nursing skills then just pull yourself up by your bootstraps and hang on to what ever comes your way. you did say you wanted a challenge right-then you are in the right place.

This is where nursing becomes an art. Dont let anyone take this away from you or run you off.

Most ICU NURSES are to a degree control freaks. If a patients vital signs or condition changes that want to control them and make them normal again--that is their job. Also they want to make sure that everyone else

that works with them are control freaks too and know what the h--- they are doing too and to some extent they are waiting for you to prove to them that you do know what you are doing too. For right now just learn the routine of your new unit and concentrate on learning how to do the procedures that are not done on a Med-SURG UNIT, the new drugs and be sure you sign up and take ACLS in case you havent. One day in the not to distant you will be given the opportunity to use all these skills and then you can show everyone just how good a ICU nurse you really are.

As for nurse managers, they will always continue to be a thorn in your side but a neccessary one. Schedules will always change to our liking or not.

I guess there are just some things we cant control. Hang in there and good luck.

AtlantaRN, RN · Jan 28, 2006

thanks, yes, hanging on...

new memo states can't schedule self for more than 4 days in a row...i have always worked thursday-tuesday once a month (husband is disabled and he does all the home stuff...cooking, cleaning, home maintenance), also have an elderly friend I go help every 16 weeks...i guess it's always something...NOW they post can't schedule for more than 4 in a row (but they can call you everyday you don't work, or ask you to work a total of 16h when they are short).

you are dead on with the control freak thing...

thanks!:)

linda

Undecided7 · Jan 28, 2006

I believe the poster is in IMCU not ICU although I realize they can be similar and staff tend to float between the two if trained for ICU. Anyway, it sounds like the unit doesn't really care about people's level of knowlege and experience if they are hiring multiple new grads in a 12 bed unit. It also says something about the turnover rate and lack of leadership. A schedule should be out sooner. I realize things change and you have to be flexible, but the basic schedule should be out sooner- seriously. It sounds like this is a really poorly run unit all around.

AtlantaRN, RN · Jan 29, 2006

yep, poorly run...truthfully I thought I would retire from this hospital (i transferred to this facility in 1999); and now I don't know if I want to finish out the month...

I have ALWAYS worked clustered shifts, it's easier for me as husband is home, frankly i'd rather work 6 days straight than 4 on 2 off and 2 more on...

As it stands, i am the person with MOST SENIORITY and I only transferred in 11/05!!! There were 5 full time nurses that went to other new departments (cath lab, rapid admission center, clinical decision unit), and when asked WHY there was a mass exodus answer from mgt was "to pursue other opportunities", but if you talk to those nurses, they were tired of all the crap, i mean you KNOW that you have to staff the unit and apparently it's not IMPORTANT to clinical manager because SHE knows what SHE is working...monday-friday 9-4...most the time spent in meetings, she might fly through the unit once a day...says she wants to "work the scheduling issues out", but then screws up EVERYONES schedule...

it's just a big hassle. my husband said, "just put down what you want and work with it",

i just don't get how they can say "i only allow scheduling 4 days in a row," when i went there in november I worked a 6 day stretch and then some extra days...you would think they would appreciate a nurse that wanted to work so many hours...

the worst thing for me is when they only put out the schedule on the day before it starts, it screws me out of overtime on the other units...because I can't sign up before the IMCU schedule comes out...

anyways, thanks for listening...

linda

AtlantaRN, RN · Jan 31, 2006

Worked the other day and one of our new grads had to hang heparin, thrombolytic protocol (pt had a PE), now this is a nurse that had 12 week training in ICU and IMCU, and didn't know how to give a bolus...yet, she is hanging integrilin drips, dopamine, dobutamine...YIKES!!!

linda

bahamagirl · Apr 1, 2006

It sounds like you have a very good head on your shoulders and that this unit could use someone like you. I started in a very difficult unit and the nurses gave me a hard time. I stuck with it and let no one walk over me. My advice would be to stick with it because you could do many good things in that unit. So take the bull by the horns and make some positive changes. Good Luck

millkay · Apr 3, 2006

Dear Atlanta,

I'm really sorry to hear how bad things are in that unit. The real bad thing is that there are patient lives at stake. I worked 3 1/2 years for the exact same kind of manager or should I say mis-manager. Keep in mind if you do decide to stay that she also is reviewed by a supervisor, whether being Critical Care director, Cheif Nurse Officer, etc.

Having started out in critical care as a new grad, I know how scarey it is, but.... the patients shouldn't be put at risk with a whole staff of new graduates. I would bet that the manager is thrilled to have you, a seasoned nurse, and possibly may be open to suggestions. Who knows it might work out. If not maybe you don't belong there, you do have a license that is a stake.

You might also put in writing your grievances. Keep in mind that if the manager had a problem with you, she would keep every move you made well documented. Obviously there is a bigger problem there, with the high turn-over rate. IMCU is a hard floor to work, it's that way all over the place.

Good luck to you and the unit.

millkay

Geeg · Apr 5, 2006

Atlanta: sounds like the unit needs you more than you need it.