Something Weird...

Published

Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

Okay so lately our patient census has been at an all time high, usually 29 to 31. Well so im bracing myself for today saying "crap, i'll probably have half the unit." So i get to the floor look up at the board and see 3 RN's i'm like crap double the work we usually have 5. So then I look at the census... 13 PATIENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My jaw dropped and my manager stared at me and said is that a good thing and i almost cried tears of joy. I had seven patients and I was able to do everything for them, including spending some time with an actively dying patient. I actually gave quality care to everyone. He said we werre capped at 13 patients until monday because there was a low census across the other units.

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I love to be on the unit during low census (of course, only when it stays low - no good when we get slammed with new admissions like we've been doing this week - we turned over all 30 pts twice this week!). Days when I really feel like I can give quality care are the best. That's when I love being a nurse. In fact, with all their focus on customer service, you would think they would staff like that all the time, because you'll notice, when the census is low, if you have a problem child, you have time to focus on them and make them feel better. Of course, that would cost more, so it will never happen, but wouldn't it be nice to have days like that every day?

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Oh , how glorious it would be if we could always give good care and go home feeling satisfaction with a job well done.

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Oh , how glorious it would be if we could always give good care and go home feeling satisfaction with a job well done.

Well said!:yeah:

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

Thanks for sharing your nice experience with us. I love reading the vents, don't get me wrong. But it is very nice to hear about a good day once in a while too.

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

Lovely, lovely, lovely, heaven!!!!

:yeah::up:

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

Yeah, it's great....today there were 3 nurses in for the morning....oh, only 25 patients across the board with 2 admits coming....and a tech decided not to show up today. I'm bracing expecting everyone to still be there when I come in tonight and have to "put out fires" from the day shift....ah....can't wait for graduation....

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I know the feeling...I only had 5 patients today, and they were really good patients.

I had time to just sit in patients room and talk to them, do good assessment, document like I am supposed to. A great day, reminds me that I do love nursing!

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God sends us these days every once in awhile to allow us joy and appreciation in nursing.

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