RN's required to be sitters???

[anneRN96]

So, our unit decided that if we have low census they are floating us to be "sitters" elsewhere in the hospital. AND apparently we can't refuse. I personally would rather be called off then go sit somewhere. What are your thoughts? Am I just overreacting?

[KarenMS]

One shift as a sitter, which is most definitely in our scope? Absolutely.

Last fall I had to do ER transport for 12 hours overnight because they were short RNs, so they couldn’t leave to transport critical patients. I was the best paid transporter on that night ?

[Chickenlady]

If they are paying me my RN salary, I'm on board.

[JKL33]

3 hours ago, KarenMS said:

One shift as a sitter, which is most definitely in our scope? Absolutely.

Last fall I had to do ER transport for 12 hours overnight because they were short RNs, so they couldn’t leave to transport critical patients. I was the best paid transporter on that night ?

Transport would be in a totally different category for me...still interacting various with people, still moving around, etc.? No problem. Sitting and staring at someone while not allowed to do anything else (such as school work as mentioned by someone earlier) which is the rule at my place...I would take my turn but if it was a very long time slot it would be rough.

[anneRN96]

I should also say we sit for 12 hours, no pee break, no lunch breaks because they are too busy ☹

[JKL33]

Well...that ^ is bull.

Call the supervisor when you need to use the bathroom. Also call them to provide your lunch break and if they can't then have a snack while on duty and punch out no-lunch.

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

54 minutes ago, anneRN96 said:

I should also say we sit for 12 hours, no pee break, no lunch breaks because they are too busy ☹

Not because they are too busy, but because they know they can take advantage of you in that sense. That’s one of those situations that you need to speak up and advocate for yourself and not take no for an answer.

[Wlaurie, RN]

I think this falls under the ubiquitous "other duties as assigned". Perhaps you can take whatever cheerful attitude you can muster up to get thru it and make the best of it. ?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Some days sitting is a bit a breather, some days it's a tough job, depending on how antsy the patient is. Another issue is, you are held accountable for the patient to the level of your licensure.

Nope, you can't refuse. Facility is paying RN wages to have you on the puppet strings for a pull.

[anneRN96]

Well crap. I didn't know I was that responsible. That makes it worse. I'm trained nicu I don't even do adults let some ICU or er level patients

[Crojo1501, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Sign me UP, RN wage to sit, Done Deal. When we get an assignment, we get destroyed. COVID on top of high acuity patients. I'd rather sit than wear PPE/ PAPRS for 12 hours.

[Workitinurfava, BSN, RN]

Sitting for 1 pr, can't think of anything wrong with that, trust me I tried hard to.

[OUxPhys, BSN, RN]

Usually when this happens it's your only patient. I've had a sitter assignment before and it was cake. Easy money.