When Keeping up is Impossible.....

Published

I just don't know how to feel but lousy after getting scolded by the next shift nurse. I was sooo overwhelmed by this pt, and I could barely keep up. the pt was off the floor from about 10 am to about 1:20 pm. But a big chunk of time in the am the pt was being debrided by service then was sent off for the longest picc placement ever. Pt was not given all iv antibiotics in the morning related to noncompatability into one line and was not started on tube feeds because pt was NPO and service did not advance the diet. But the time the pt came back - i had to clean her because she had a bm, give iv meds, redress multiple wounds, notify service bc of high blood sugar, reschedule her mri that was suppose to be at 11:45, call the chaplain, talk to family that had arrived. Plus, I had an admit I had to start and finish, a discharge to start, a pt who was concerned about her IV on the call light that needed to see me now. So I forgot to check on the tube feeds or draw blood that was scheduled to be drawn by the time shift ended at 3:bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I've been upset before, feeling like a big mess was being thrown in my lap first thing, but I wouldn't dream of "scolding" the off going nurse about it. Most likely, they didn't do it on purpose, and had a rough shift themselves. I'm sorry that happened to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sounds like you had a horrible shift. The next shift had no business scolding you.

Hope your next shift is MUCH bettter!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCU, Home Health.

God Bless you BlearnRN! :icon_hug:

You just don't listen to her. Sounds like you did great.

There is one or two that I hate giving report to because they always find SOMETHING-

You do what you can- it is not like you controlled how long PICC placement took or that the patient was NPO. That is why the hospital doesn't shut down at night- another nurse takes over because caring for patients is a 24 hour job.

That patient is lucky to have you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

Perhaps you need to stand up to her. Say that you do not appreciate her comments, you have explained the reasons why, and you would appreciate if she helped you get things back on track.

It is not up to her to criticise you...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

2nd RAnT

Usually, I would just shrug this nurse off but lately I have been noticing my efficiency is sloooowing down. This really bothers me, but I am 6mo pregnant and emotional. Not that I am trying to find excuses, but I don't think some of my coworkers understand this and try to cut me at least a little slack. Some of them just go straight to the lazy card. They don't factor in the fact that things take me longer to do than use to, numerous pee breaks, legs aching and having to sit down breaks, shortness of breath when walking too fast on top of trying to stay on top of a complicated pt. Not that I am unwilling to take a pt who is challenging, but I just can't keep up with this one. I am just so tired of certain people not understanding that it takes longer for me to do things and I can't finish all things on my shift, that I cant push and pull like I use to, that just because the other so and so nurse could do x &y when she was pregnant does not mean I can. I try, I really do, but it is not good enough and I am tired and emotionally spent. I already cant take chemo pt or pt on anti-rejection drugs. I guess I will have to add very complicated pts to the list :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology, radiology, ICU.

Hugs to you as it sounds like you had a really rough shift. We have all been there and I myself have felt extremely guilty at the end of my shift. What we seem to forget is that hospitals are a 24 hour place and there will be times unfinished tasks will be passed on to the next person/shift. It seems that you did the best job you could do under the circumstances so don't let the next shift get you down.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I am also sorry this happened to you. Sometimes we all have personal issues, may it be poor general health, pregnancy or issues from other areas that affect our work. It is interesting how they preach Jean Watson's Caring Theory, but the actual behavior is wolves waiting for the lamb to appear weak and plummet them.

Do what you can, speak to your charge nurse about your personal evaluation and concerns, see what she says and then, take care of yourself. We want to hear that you had a healthy baby and recovered nicely...not that you overworked yourself into a frenzy and provided unsafe care. (((Hugs to you and your unborn))

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Some people just come in angry and then report makes them even angrier.

Hang in there. Any "normal" person would understand you had a rough day.

My last two jobs felt like that every day. At the end of the day I felt so embarassed and useless but I know I was interrupted non-stop and busy and couldn't get everything done. I used to be a perfectionist and take pride in my work. With the way things have been, I have gotten to the point that I know I worked all day and I just want to go home. What they stopped getting was good charting. They don't want to pay overtime to chart and I don't want to be over to chart.

I wouldn't have done it to you if that makes you feel better:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, office.

I could never understand this. When a nurse is comes on, it's usually pretty obvious that that your coworker coming off has been running their behind off. What do some hope to accomplish by scolding? :confused:

I do remember coming on in LTC to a nurse who would be literally sitting doing absolutely nothing. Great, she is one organized nurse, right? Her report would consist of asking me to do this and that, because she didn't have time. Excuse me?

I don't miss her, or that place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED/trauma.
I could never understand this. When a nurse is comes on, it's usually pretty obvious that that your coworker coming off has been running their behind off. What do some hope to accomplish by scolding? :confused:

While I was still precepting, I was scolded by the night charge in front of the nurse to whom I reported and within distance of patients hearing. Saying I'm new and didn't know / was never told I had to do that wasn't sufficient. I was so emabarassed, I didn't know what else to say :confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This used to bother me too...When I was a new nurse to be critized by the oncoming nurse(s)...this used to be very bad at one hospital I worked...they acted like their stuff never stunk...and they never left anything undone...

There is a big difference between not getting everything done because of overwhelming tasks and not doing something because of laziness or neglect...I learned to just tersely and factually (and politely) tell them what was done and not done during report and why things could not be done up to their expectations...I

f they continued to have an attitude and/or say sarcastic things I would matter of factly tell them I didn't appreciate it and if they had a problem with it I would gladly make arrangements for a meeting and discussion with our immediate supervisor and/or head nurse if they so desired...

This almost always would work because in the cool reflection of a few hours or days later their complaints would sound extremely petty which they would soon realize, usually right then or prior to said meeting.

Along with this I used to say...."the main difference between a good nurse and a bad one was that a bed one didn't care what they had left undone...a good one would 'stew' about forever...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion