Was this ok?

[beachbum3]

I've never worked in health care before now, as a RN. I try to be very conscientious about not coming off as the nurse who won't help do "CNA" stuff. But sometimes I don't know whether I should get the CNA to handle it when I'm busy, or if I should just do it. I really don't want to be "that" nurse.

So the other day I was a little behind. I went to check on a pt who was in restraints but up in the chair. He was slumped over and trying to take a nap. So I went to get a tech to help me get him back in bed. Next thing I know bed alarm is going off across the hall. Tech has my patient out of the restraints, and really should have 2 people to move him. I go to the room with the bed alarm off and the pt is up, out of bed, peeing all over the floor, and very unsteady on his feet. Not my patient, I know nothing about him, seems he has some dementia issues or something- just not quite A&O x 4. Definitely a fall risk, and so is my guy across the hall who the tech is now trying to move on her own. I really didn't know what to do. The guy who peed all over the floor was now seated in the chair, but the pee is still on the floor, and he had stepped in it, needed a new gown, to be cleaned up and the floor cleaned. So his nurse came and I grabbed a couple of towels and mopped up the floor quickly, asked him (the nurse) if he needed help getting the pt cleaned up and the rest of the mess handled and he said he was good. I felt like I needed to get back to my patient and the other stuff I was behind on. I felt kind of bad- I wasn't trying to bolt on the situation or not be helpful, I really was concerned about my patient, and the other stuff I was trying to catch up on. Was I wrong to leave the room and should have stayed and helped the nurse clean up? No one seemed offended, but things like this drive me a little nuts. I just don't want to come off like I'm not willing to help.

[MedicalLPN, LPN]

You asked him if he needed help, he said he was okay. Don't worry about it, at least you offered to help :) I think one of the most difficult things we learn and have to accept as nurses is that we can't be everywhere at once, I'm still trying to accept that lol. You're doing great don't sweat it!

[suespets]

You're kidding,right?

[beachbum3]

I don't know. I guess I felt bad even asking, like maybe its an unwritten rule- you stay and help clean the mess if you even start dealing with it in the first place. I felt bad leaving halfway thru the task, I guess.

I really do worry about little things sometimes. :imbar

[HappyPediRN]

Safety first always. A little pee on the floor is nothing compared to a broken hip.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

frankly, you did more than you should have......'the one you have your hands on" is the one you are responsible for first.....if your patient across the hall had been injured, or the tech it would have been you backside on the line.....glad it didnt come to that....as soon as the other nurse showed up you needed to be OUT THE DOOR, don t even ask about helping...not your problem at that point....

[Altra, BSN, RN]

No one seemed offended

There's your answer.

[squirtle]

You sound a lot like I used to... but I learned quickly that you can't worry about everything You did what you had to do to care for your patient and even stepped out to ensure the safety of another. What could you have possibly done wrong? I bet that other nurse hasn't even thought twice about the situation...

[beachbum3]

I think I just have to learn that I'm only one person, and that my assigned patients are my primary responsibility. I remembered after I posted that the person who brings the trays up and hands them out (don't know what her technical title is-- dietary I guess) came in to the room we (the tech and I) were in asking if someone could turn his bed alarm off because he was just wanting to sit up to eat. That was why I originally went in there. I was thinking it would be a quick turn off the button, and my pt was still sitting in the chair (though we'd taken his restraints off). When I got in the room with the bed alarm going off the situation I posted was what I found. Should I just have not gone in there and finished with my patient first? What if the guy in that room had fallen? I didn't think the tech would try to get my patient into bed herself, but next thing I know she was doing it while I was in the other room.

I suppose these are the things I will learn how to handle along the way....

[Kojak]

once i removed the restraints, i would have either stayed with the patient until he was in bed or given the tech instructions to wait until i got back to help move the patient. of course it's always easier to be an armchair quarterback.

the reality of nursing is that you are frequently going to feel pulled in many different directions at once. it won't be easy, because sometimes everything seems urgent, but you will learn to prioritize and delegate as you gain experience. if you are a conscientious nurse, and it sounds like you are, your coworkers will recognize that. so just do the best you can, help others when you can, don't worry too much about what your coworkers will think, and you'll do fine.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

I would say that if you aren't the only one hearing the bed alarm, etc....someone will come get it. You are responsible for your patient. Once you make sure the guy you're with is ok and safe, and the patient's primary nurse doesn't need help cleaning him/the room up, ok...go take care of yours. that being said, once your patient is ok, I would go back and check to see if the other nurse needs a hand....it's always appriecated. But, it sounds like the patient's primary nurse knew how his patient was, so that's it.

It's better to offer when you can, but if you can't make sure to check back in. At least you were helpful!