Often on this site we see forums about nurses versus allied health professionals. But as you well know the same tension exists, between different nursing professionals. So basically this is what this thread is about.
Let's talk about what LPN or in some cases RN floor nurses in LTC would classify as the "The rude emergency department nurse ". And again, this is not to stereotype all ER Nurses as i have called in report to many awesome life loving positive ER Nurses. I never worked as an ER Nurse, so i do not know the struggle, but i was hoping this post would give the "Lazy Imcompetent LTC Nurse" and the "Rude Bitter ER Nurse" as classified by one another a chance to share wach others frustration.
So at this time, im going to speak for the "Lazy incomptent LTC Nurse" and share some of our struggles and frustrations.
1. Chatting with a residents primary physician, obtaining physician order for the resident to go to the hospital, calling report to the hospital and meeting resistance from the ER Nurse.
A. While i know that in my heart of hearts that not every single LTC fall warants an ER visit. But when the doc says send them , they must be sent. Even if i know the resident is fine. Its the way it is. Some doctors put full trust in the assessment skills of LTC Nurses, others are overly cautious (they earn that right with 8 years of medical school). So the orders you bark when we call to give you report, well there gonna go in one ear and out the other. Because to be very bluntly as a Nurse im not taking an order from a Nurse. A doctor has given me an order, ane in order to protect my license i will do my duty as a nurse abd carry out the order. So wasting your breath barking orders will just raise your blood pressure, and take me away from the other 42 residents under my care. At the end of the dat whether you take my courtesy report or not, they will still be coming to your ER so make the most of my willingness to be polite and give you as much info as possible because when its over and i feel you are trying to bully and harrass and pitch a fit, the phone will hang up and my DON will back me up.
2. NOT UNDERSTANDING POLICY
A. As i assume, you ER Nurses are used to just doing. Suctioning, U/As, reinsertions of enteral tubes, Nebs, reinsertion of suprapubic catheters etc. etc. And just cant understand wvu this cant just be done at the nursing home, its not the incompetence of the nurse, its facility policy. So no, we did not suction, because we have no order to so. Call our facilities Director of Nursing, Adminstrator, Corporate Nurse Officer, Medical director, If you wish to voice your concerns. But please dont take ir out in the LPN on the floor who is trying desperately to finish a 40 patient med pass, and complete 10 skilled nurses notes, and all the hospital transport paperwork we didnt write
the policies.
3. No we cannot call to mind everything about our residents like ICU and ER Nurses can. We do not know every allergy our residents have, or every dx a resident has. Just like doctors who care for maby patients, we have to reminded and reminded and remind ourselfs. So when we cant answer a question without doing a little reseach dont write us off as guilty of incompetence or laziness.
Just a few , but i encourage you guys to share the ER Nurse struggles and what frustrates you the most. Im going to quote the Assitant Director of Nurses at our Nursing home who has been an LPN for 27 years and one the best i know! Take it with a grain of salt.
"Ive done Med Surg, Ive done NICCU, ive done ICU, i was an ER Nurse at a rural hospital, i was a home health nurse. But, nothing compared to the stress being in a facility full of stable elderly residents, as crazy as it may sound,".
OldGrayNurse
50 Posts
Why thank you! Just calling it as I see it.