So, you get to work in the morning, not only to find out that you are short a nurse, and you'll be expected to cover an entire floor on your own, but there's another surprise--state surveyors are there today! It's making you sick just thinking about it, and making you nauseous, but you're probably anxious and not necessarily physically ill. In the heat of the moment, which option do you choose?
A. Go to work anyway since you are already there. Pretend you didn't see the sign stating that state surveyors are there and go about your job the way you normally would during other times you've been short-staffed. You have, after all, managed to take care of an entire wing before.
B. Panic, and leave work before taking report on any patients, reporting sudden illness. However, you are scheduled to work the next day, so you show up, taking the chance that state surveyors completed their assessment in one day.
C. Panic, leave work, and report sudden illness. Call in for the next day because there's a good chance that state surveyors will be there tomorrow, too. You have to look out for yourself before anyone else.
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.
Of course you should know the policies and procedures of your unit.
If asked I would tell the truth. Maybe that is why I was often not scheduled when they were expected.
In my state the surveyors are experienced RNs. They often require a "Plan of Correction" (POC) for any violation. That is good to know as hospitals complying with the POC are safer and often better staffed.
Well, giving medications and bolus feedings through the tube is rather cumbersome and time consuming. So I used to go do those before the surveyors hit the floor if possible so I didn't feel like I had to rush through them.
Seems to me that if the facility is short a nurse when state surveyors are there, then the management has to cover it somehow. That is not for you to cover. I would refuse to do it. You have to protect your license.
Hence the question. State surveyors will not let management answer their questions. They are there to see the caregivers in action. Just carry on. If they find a problem and report it, it will lead to better care.
herring_RN, ASN, BSN
3,651 Posts
Of course you should know the policies and procedures of your unit.
If asked I would tell the truth. Maybe that is why I was often not scheduled when they were expected.
In my state the surveyors are experienced RNs. They often require a "Plan of Correction" (POC) for any violation. That is good to know as hospitals complying with the POC are safer and often better staffed.