think i gotta quit

Derrika · Apr 26, 2005

I am so sick of being dangerously understaffed every night. I have been saying that it is only a matter of time until something bad happens because of it.
Administation will not bring in temps, or alow us to close the ER. Squads are lined up in the hallway.
Two weeks ago, one nurse was expected to cover 10 rooms. Things got so bad that a 30 year nurse began to vomit from the stress. Administration called in to see the results of the "no diversion" policy. Their response to this nurse was not take a few minutes and we will figure something out. It was if you leave we will go after you for abandonment.
One month ago a pt left her room and attempted to hang herself in the bathroom.
Still administation does nothing.
last night i have a older woman admitted for pneumonia but she turned into a 17 hour ED hold. I stop in to see her. No changes. 5 min later her heart stops. We start cpr. She comes back in about 30 seconds. Eyes open and alert. Bradycardic. Begin to pace. Call admitting MD and get the run around. Finally get a order for isoproturnol (SP).. After 3 attempts to get drug from pixis, I fax pharmacy the order and call them to tell him that i need this stat. pharmacy tells me that he is busy right now and will call me when i can get to it. Asked charge nurse what to do, she doesnt know. 40 min later we get drug...... No futher orders from attendings.... House officer will not come to ER to see pt. Pt remains being paced for 3 hours:angryfire . MD shows up at 0700 and takes patinet for internal pace maker.
I was gonna put my 2 weeks in but i think i will just quit. They put my licesnce on the line everyday.

That sounds awful, Jason. I am about to be a nursing student and I couldn't imagine that things like that are allowed to go on. Before you just up and quit, possibly damaging your career...you see they don't care about the staff...maybe you should try talking to the hospital administrator...there has gotta be something they could do...not only is your license on the line, but people's lives as well. Good luck!

live4today, RN · Apr 26, 2005

(((((((((jasonn)))))))) :beer: :icon_hug: Here's a beer and a warm hug for you. :) Many nurses relate to this type of understaffing. I would quit, too. It's your license and sanity, and if you don't draw the line somewhere, they will do it for you in a way that won't be beneficial to you....so....let 'em go quick.

jasonn · Apr 26, 2005

That sounds awful, Jason. I am about to be a nursing student and I couldn't imagine that things like that are allowed to go on. Before you just up and quit, possibly damaging your career...you see they don't care about the staff...maybe you should try talking to the hospital administrator...there has gotta be something they could do...not only is your license on the line, but people's lives as well. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply, and you soon learn that administration does not care about your license or patients. Sorry to sound so negative, but you'll see what i mean soon enough...

medsurgnurse, RN · Apr 26, 2005

I am so sick of being dangerously understaffed every night. I have been saying that it is only a matter of time until something bad happens because of it.
Administation will not bring in temps, or alow us to close the ER. Squads are lined up in the hallway.
Two weeks ago, one nurse was expected to cover 10 rooms. Things got so bad that a 30 year nurse began to vomit from the stress. Administration called in to see the results of the "no diversion" policy. Their response to this nurse was not take a few minutes and we will figure something out. It was if you leave we will go after you for abandonment.
One month ago a pt left her room and attempted to hang herself in the bathroom.
Still administation does nothing.
last night i have a older woman admitted for pneumonia but she turned into a 17 hour ED hold. I stop in to see her. No changes. 5 min later her heart stops. We start cpr. She comes back in about 30 seconds. Eyes open and alert. Bradycardic. Begin to pace. Call admitting MD and get the run around. Finally get a order for isoproturnol (SP).. After 3 attempts to get drug from pixis, I fax pharmacy the order and call them to tell him that i need this stat. pharmacy tells me that he is busy right now and will call me when i can get to it. Asked charge nurse what to do, she doesnt know. 40 min later we get drug...... No futher orders from attendings.... House officer will not come to ER to see pt. Pt remains being paced for 3 hours:angryfire . MD shows up at 0700 and takes patinet for internal pace maker.
I was gonna put my 2 weeks in but i think i will just quit. They put my licesnce on the line everyday.

It is not worth your life. Yes your life. That kind of stress can cause long term damage to your health. After you turn in that resignation it will be like a great weight has been lifted form you. try to serve out your two week notice, as hard as it is. Hospital Administration really and truly dont' get it. They have absolutely no idea what nurses do. They live in the dark ages and think we sit around waiting for someone to call for bed pan. Good luck to you.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Apr 26, 2005

There are better jobs out there, pal. Look around. You owe it to yourself.

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Apr 26, 2005

Anonymously call your local newspaper, radio and TV journalists. call your state board of health and call whatever accredidation agency that checks out your hospital.

Let the public know what is going on.

ERNURSE4MS · Apr 26, 2005

I would make sure to document why you are leaving . It is too late to help your predicament in that ED but maybe(wishful thinking) it will be a wakeup call to the management. Things must change in the state of nursing, while few are as understaffed as this, things are only going to get worse as our nursing population gets older. Administrators need to realize they are not making it worth while for a nurse to work in a hospital.( I know there are some that are great but they are few and far between).Sorry to get on my soap box. My job is not nearly as understaffed as yours, but we still feel the crunch. I will pray for you and hope that you find the job of your dreams. :icon_hug:

ARNPsomeday · Apr 27, 2005

Jasonn, I'm in nursing school. I come here regularly and read as much as I can to learn about reality. But this????? It's ATROCIOUS. It is truly appalling!

Don't those unfit decision-makers ever get sick enough to be bedridden in their own hospitals???

!

mydesygn · Apr 27, 2005

Thanks for the reply, and you soon learn that administration does not care about your license or patients. Sorry to sound so negative, but you'll see what i mean soon enough...

The unfortunate thing is often administration does not really see your value until you are gone. No change will ever happen until one of two things (1) someone is serously harmed and is able to bring it to the public's attention(not just sue) or (2) enough staff leave that the physicians began to quit or threaten to quit. I have never witnesses serious and lasting change in any area until one of those two things occurred. As long as you and other experienced staff remain, you allow the area to continue to function and no change occurs until it literally shuts down.

I worked (breifly) as a prn nurse on a pediatrics unit that was part of an adult hospital. The unit was being staffed by one nurse all the time. No unit clerk to answer phones, no nursing assistant. The 3-11 and 11-7 shifts were being staffed by prn and adult float nurses. It was not until the admiiting pediatricians refused to admit patients to this hospital that administration suddenly decided maybe we should start staffing the unit correctly and with pediatric nurses.

However, I would caution you about quitting without 2 weeks notice. In the Dallas - Fort Worth area, many hospitals utilize a background "consumer reporting" agency known as Group One. On the report not only is your last employer listed but they will also list if you were fired and why as well as whether you gave notice. Nursing staff in this area are often unaware of Group One existence until they have a job offer rescinded once the hiring facility receives the report. Typically, after an offer is made, the hiring facility will ask you to sign a release for a "consumer report", most indivuals believe it is a credit report but it is a background check. The second reason is you never know when you will need a recommendation or return to a previous job. It makes no sense to "burn bridges" when clearly it is not neccesary.

Lambert5883 · Apr 27, 2005

I don't blame you, Jason. Better yet, write your congressman, mayor, and local paper or news organization and write them of these ongoings.

estrogen · Apr 27, 2005

Thanks for the reply, and you soon learn that administration does not care about your license or patients. Sorry to sound so negative, but you'll see what i mean soon enough...

DITTO that. it's the same thing in our hosp. :uhoh3: