Some things make NO sense!

ptnurse · Oct 10, 2003

That is just too scary for words.

mistersleepy · Oct 10, 2003

As a cardiac recovery nurse I am speachless...

I've met some stupid doc's before but...

gwenith, BSN, RN · Oct 10, 2003

1) Get on to your union STAT!!! YOu have the potential to be involved in a big litigation and it will be the surgeons word against yours.

2) Sit down with your colleagues and describe this situation. Clearly unemotionally give instances of adverse impact upon yourself and your colleagues and then discuss potential adverse outcomes for the patients and the hospital.

3) Take what you have written to management.

If you can write out the situation here without giving away who where and how do so and we will help you phrase it. There are enough educators, managment personnel and just plain smart people regularly posting on this BB that I am sure we can give you a hand. But remember give nothing away about where this is and who is involved.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 10, 2003

See what i'm assuming is that the OP is reffering that herself and the other nurses are RN's. And an LPN is the one keeping tabs on them?? That's wrong.

Especially since the "tab keeper" has no prior ICU experience.

New2CVICU · Oct 10, 2003

I will get together with the other nurses and put together a plan of action. I also did not mean to offend any LPN's out there. My biggest gripe is that she has no idea what we do. I have worked with LPN's in CV recovery that have way more experience than I do and I respect them. I mean, put yourself in our shoes.

Elenaster · Oct 10, 2003

That's just awful and I don't think you need to defend yourself re: an unexperienced person keeping tabs on you, regardless of the letters after her name.

The tripled assignments alone are enough to make me run screaming. I think you all need some kind of backup and quick. I can't imagine how insecure you must feel about your job, not to mention your license.

Since you have a core group of experienced ICU nurses, maybe you could talk about hiring some new nurses, maybe some tele nurses looking to move to the unit or something so you at least have marginal staffing. In the meantime, is there anyone higher up in admin. that wants this program to succeed? If so, maybe you all could contact her/him and work on having a voice about the danger and absurdity of your present working conditions. If that isn't a viable option, perhaps Risk Management should be contacted. C'mon an untrained LPN keeping tabs for a cardio-thoracic surgeon...it sounds like a liability nightmare for the hospital.

sharann, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2003

I can't get my jaw off the floor. The main thing here is that the surgeon is an idiot and this nurse is no doubt operating out of her scope. I wouln't give her ANY info. I wouldn't want her to say "RN so and so said the Nipride drip was going in too slowly...."

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Oct 11, 2003

I had to read this post twice to make sure what I was reading. I would ask for a meeting with the HN and DON regarding the staffig issue. This is not safe for the patient or your license. The LPN issue may be better discussed with the medical board, risk management, and the physician. He has the right to employ whomever he wants to employ, they inturn, have to be trained by him, not at the expense of an already overburdened staff. It sounds like this is a moneymaking unit for the institution with little to no thought as how to keep it a safe, well staffed, and a work environment that is as risk free as these patients can be. I would look for another job if something does not change. Or at least, get out of this unit. Let us know what happens.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2003

We have nurses who round for docs. They are the eyes and ears for them until they can round for themselves. But I've yet to see an LPN do it. Doesn't mean she can't. She's not actually taking care of the patients is she? Just rounding, checking on them. Does seem strange that a cardiac group would try to save money by hiring an inexperienced LPN.

I would be more concerned about the tripled assignments and the lack of help. The LPN is harmless to you, until she tries to give you orders that are unsafe that she hasn't discussed with the docs. Then be concerned. I wouldn't let her bother me.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2003

Originally posted by gwenith
1) Get on to your union STAT!!! YOu have the potential to be involved in a big litigation and it will be the surgeons word against yours.

What am I missing here?

New2CVICU · Oct 11, 2003

Well actually she did ask me if I wanted her to write an order for a chest x-ray which is already on the pre-printed DOS (day of surgery orders) for the next a.m. And she told me to leave my cordis in for transfer to step-down. Well it gets pulled and that order can be found in the POD #2 pre-printed orders. I asked her to not tell me what she thinks should be done and to just write the order. (That way I can call the MD and question it. Don't put me on the hook.)