Staffing

[incublissRN, BSN, RN]

I am fed up with staffing on my unit. I was almost in tears last night. I received a CABG at 1900 and picked up a vented patient at 2200 (aortic dissection POD 8). I didn't get my CABG extubated until 0100. I was also going to have to cover an LPN's patient at 2200 because all the house could offer us was an LPN. Luckily they found a med-surg RN that took the two stable patients without lines and luckily my patient didn't have any issues. There were worse assignments.

It seems like management does not care or recognize the problem. A lot of use are unhappy.

Maybe I'm just overreacting because I'm so angry. It's just that the anger is not going away this time.

I think I'll start looking for other positions. I don't know what I want to do though. I did cardiac medical for 6 months and hated it. I have done cardiac recovery for a year. Hopefully I'll be starting a family nurse practitioner program next fall. Any suggestions? I would maybe like to switch to days.

Another question, if I apply for a job do I select "no" when it says can we contact your current employer? I don't want my manager to know I'm looking at other jobs.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Here's a hug. (((hug))) :icon_hug: I'm sorry you're having a rough run at your workplace.

Every job switch I've undergone has offered more of the same: bad staffing, a managerial team who cares more about profits, stressful work conditions, and so much more. It's my honest opinion that floor nursing is in a sorry state of affairs currently, and the problem is only going worsen as time passes. The situation you've described is the reason why there's a so-called 'shortage' of nurses who will deal with lousy working conditions.

I hope you can find another job that will treat you better.

[incublissRN, BSN, RN]

I know, the grass is never greener on the other side. I'm just now feeling comfortable in my specialty.

I'm going to go cry myself to sleep. After I sleep I'll try to think of a plan. They are short staffed tonight too but I couldn't make myself go back in. That would be 5 in a row and I'm too tired and angry.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I'm going to go cry myself to sleep. After I sleep I'll try to think of a plan. They are short staffed tonight too but I couldn't make myself go back in. That would be 5 in a row and I'm too tired and angry.

Please don't cry! The blunt truth is that your insensitive managers and the hospital administrators are not going to shed any tears over you, or lose any sleep over you. I know it's not fair, but don't allow this to rent too much space inside your head. Do whatever it is that you need to do in order to escape to greener pastures. Good luck...I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[RNperdiem, RN]

There is a morale boost in knowing that there is other jobs out there. Sorry you had a bad night. If this is not an isolated incident(all jobs have their bad days), start looking around.

With your 1+ year of experience you can make it a project to investigate what is out there. Do not quit until you have a job lined up, and don't rush into the first job you can get unless it is a better job.

[Quickbeam, BSN, RN]

The blunt truth is that your insensitive managers and the hospital administrators are not going to shed any tears over you, or lose any sleep over you.

This is the absolute truth. It took me a lot of years in nursing to gain this understanding. Look out for yourself.

Many years ago, during a temporary nurse glut (the 1990's) I watch as my hospital adminstration turned on nurses like we were a pestilence. They had only grudgingly tolerated us before but now the animosity was overt. The year in question, instead of any kind of thank you at the holidays, we got a mandatory lecture on how we could be replaced and that we were lucky to have jobs.

I'll never forget it and neither will anyone else in that room. Take care of yourself.

[incublissRN, BSN, RN]

I had to call work and let them know I forgot to chart something important related to a research study. Of course my manager answers and ends up asking me to come in at 2200. I told her no amount of money could bring me in tonight because last night was so horrible. She said it would be worse tonight and that she would be there until the am. Oh boo hoo, she should have been there last night too but Wednesday was her day off. Well tonight is my night off and I'm going to enjoy it!

[EmmaG, RN]

This is the absolute truth. It took me a lot of years in nursing to gain this understanding. Look out for yourself.

Many years ago, during a temporary nurse glut (the 1990's) I watch as my hospital adminstration turned on nurses like we were a pestilence. They had only grudgingly tolerated us before but now the animosity was overt. The year in question, instead of any kind of thank you at the holidays, we got a mandatory lecture on how we could be replaced and that we were lucky to have jobs.

I'll never forget it and neither will anyone else in that room. Take care of yourself.

Same thing happened at my hospital. You are so right, look after yourself because they sure as hell aren't.