lately we have been short, although it seems that this may actually now be a trend. So everyone is upset and says "this is such an unsafe assignment.
My question is, is this now a new trend? I mean, I know being "understaffed" ( i put that in quotes, because I think that will be the intentions in the long run) happens, but it's more and more. We all dont even want to come into work for fear of such heavy assignments and how "unsafe " they are. This kind of fear is making everyone else leave, thereby making us even shorter staffed, or making the rest of us who have to stay very sick with anxiety and anger at times.
It's no so much the "numbers" its the acuity. Very sick pts, being mixed in with snf placement who are behavioral/delirium/demented and huge fall risks. It's as if those pts are more important than the very sick ones( who belong in the unit, but , alas, "there are no beds") and we spend more time babysitting them so we don' get dinged for a fall.
They've reduced our techs, sometimes we only have 1 or 2 for 28 beds.they do the ekg and blood draws, which take priority over babysitting pts who wont stay put. we've even almost lost ptsthat are demented as they try to sneak out the door!
2. Like I said ( i think) it's not so much the numbers assigned , its the acuity mixed in with the delirium/geripsych/reg.psych/severe alzheimers. Since we are spending so much time chasing these people down, and running like maniacs when all the bed alarms are going off, it leaves a BIG window for error especially if we are running tight drips or have a post sheath pull who has had a failed closure device.
3.We cant have additional sitters- well occasionally we get one, but not too often. They count against us in out tech count. so if we have 2 techs and one has to sit, then that leaves one on the floor.for 28 pts, which I'd say are now 70 percent confused/vs AMI's, GIB's etc.
I just don't know. I know it's not greener anywhere else- that's why I have not jumped ship.Yet.If I do, it will be for something NON Medical related! I'll just have to live in a cardboard box in the meantime. well, i guess its not that funny.
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.
No! It is not a trend it is a reality. I have been in healthcare a very long time and the powers that be must and will be concerned about the bottom line. Sometimes IMO they often go way too far and it is at that point it is pure greed at the expense of human lives and suffering!
The most impactful thing you can do it to work towards safe patient staffing ratios because they will not stop pushing the healthcare staff to give more with less unless they are stopped by legislation! In the meantime you and co-workers must come up with a strategy to give the most efficient care that you can. I also believe that if you constantly 'fix" the problem for them they do think the staff can handle it all and the problems never come to light where they must be faced.
This is a very slippery slope since you do not want to compromise care but it can be done. You must allow the problems to happen. One example is tons of overtime to complete the tasks. Yes, they can even turn that on you and say you can't organize your care and are inefficient. Don't let that deter you,you know the truth!
martymoose, BSN, RN
1,946 Posts
1.union's not an option.
2. Like I said ( i think) it's not so much the numbers assigned , its the acuity mixed in with the delirium/geripsych/reg.psych/severe alzheimers. Since we are spending so much time chasing these people down, and running like maniacs when all the bed alarms are going off, it leaves a BIG window for error especially if we are running tight drips or have a post sheath pull who has had a failed closure device.
3.We cant have additional sitters- well occasionally we get one, but not too often. They count against us in out tech count. so if we have 2 techs and one has to sit, then that leaves one on the floor.for 28 pts, which I'd say are now 70 percent confused/vs AMI's, GIB's etc.
I just don't know. I know it's not greener anywhere else- that's why I have not jumped ship.Yet.If I do, it will be for something NON Medical related! I'll just have to live in a cardboard box in the meantime.
well, i guess its not that funny.