Some things make NO sense!

[New2CVICU]

Hi every one. Am I being too sensitive or does this really make no sense? Our hospital has a 7 month old Open-Heart program. All of our CVICU nurses have at least 5 years critical care experience. We have a serious morale problem with tripled assignments. Only 7 nurses staff this program. No one from management, administration or supervision will cross-train to back us up when we are short. Now the surgeon hires an LPN with no ICU experience to round for him and keep tabs on us. She even writes his progress notes based on our assessments. Doesn't no a Swan from a damn duck, isn't familiar with the surgeons orders and asks us to point out which drips are hanging as she stands there and looks at them "just so I know what I'am looking at." I swear she said that today. I don't know wether to laugh or cry. HELP!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by New2CVICU

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.)

Agreed.

I doubt she'll last. She's probably going to feel like she's walking into a lions den every day.

[Furball]

"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.)"

Maybe if you all did this resulting in the surgeon suddenly receiving a zillion phone calls questionning stupid orders he would get rid of her. You know how surgeons hate phone calls.....

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

What am I missing here?

Sorry Tweety sometimes I forget - our union is our professional liability insurer and so also gives all sorts of industrial and legal advice. If this happened here this is exactly what we would do at lightspeed and the union would handle it - believe me!!!

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by New2CVICU

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.

NO offense taken New2CVICU:)! What you have described in just unthinkable, wrong, nuts, crazy, and just plain SSSCARY!! I totally agree with you, and I wouldn't let it continue either!!!

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

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.

I agree with you on the triple assignments worry, but I disagree on the LPN writing progress notes, and orders!!! If this chart went to court on a case I was involved in, I would be VERY worried!