Your feedback wanted... Rock and a Hard Place

Sara Sara · Sep 1, 2003

Just a short answer would do!!! Please! It will only take a minute of your time!

dragonfly954 · Sep 1, 2003

I work for an agency with a recent assignment in corrections.The last assignment has lasted for about 6 months,so I have been as regular as most of their staff.I have oriented many of the new nurses for 1-2 weeks or more on my 3-11 shift just because only 2 nurses are on that shift.most are agency,but regular agency nurses.Three weeks ago a new nurse started with no corrections experience,but had supposedly worked on a tele/cardiac unit..She is off of orientation x 1 week(with an extended orientation to begin with) and this person is just plain dangerous.She has been caught leaving insulin needles out in the open unattended,leaving a full bottle of oxycontin on a stretcher in the hallway,little to no knowledge of BASIC drugs,etc.We have explained proper procedure time and time again.It doesnt sink in.Medical administration is well aware and choses to do nothing!In my area,agency and regular staff is really seasonal.I have to take what I can get sometimes.So far several of us have been tempted to call the nursing board;it is that bad.A witnessed med error involving a juvenile was totally denied by this person and she said we were out to get her to protect our job security.(no new nurse means an open position must be filled by an agency nurse).They turn a deaf ear.How unethical is that!I was written up by them for refusing to sign off on her skills doc and orientation list.Now I have been given a 2 week vacation from there,which is just fine.I can see how some nurses can get provoked into the old saying nurses eat their young.I had 5 hours of agency overtime last week due to having to stay and fix her messes until 1 or 2 am as the charge nurse.Then I got in trouble for that!

rdhdnrs · Sep 1, 2003

Working on high-risk OB, it happens a lot. The most recent, and one I can't shake, is a 23-weeker who was born looking a lot more like 26-27 weeks, crying, thrashing and peeing!!! We were thrilled. The neos resusitated because of the excellent prognosis. Next day the parents withdrew intubation, which was all he had. No pressors, abx or anything else. This kid was weaned to 21% O2. The parents are docs and I guess anything less than perfect was unacceptable. Can you tell I've had a hard time with this one? Not really an ethical dilemma, since I couldn't do anything about it, but a real feeling of helplessness.

Agnus · Sep 1, 2003

Originally posted by dragonfly954
I work for an agency with a recent assignment in corrections.The last assignment has lasted for about 6 months,so I have been as regular as most of their staff.I have oriented many of the new nurses for 1-2 weeks or more on my 3-11 shift just because only 2 nurses are on that shift.most are agency,but regular agency nurses.Three weeks ago a new nurse started with no corrections experience,but had supposedly worked on a tele/cardiac unit..She is off of orientation x 1 week(with an extended orientation to begin with) and this person is just plain dangerous.She has been caught leaving insulin needles out in the open unattended,leaving a full bottle of oxycontin on a stretcher in the hallway,little to no knowledge of BASIC drugs,etc.We have explained proper procedure time and time again.It doesnt sink in.Medical administration is well aware and choses to do nothing!In my area,agency and regular staff is really seasonal.I have to take what I can get sometimes.So far several of us have been tempted to call the nursing board;it is that bad.A witnessed med error involving a juvenile was totally denied by this person and she said we were out to get her to protect our job security.(no new nurse means an open position must be filled by an agency nurse).They turn a deaf ear.How unethical is that!I was written up by them for refusing to sign off on her skills doc and orientation list.Now I have been given a 2 week vacation from there,which is just fine.I can see how some nurses can get provoked into the old saying nurses eat their young.I had 5 hours of agency overtime last week due to having to stay and fix her messes until 1 or 2 am as the charge nurse.Then I got in trouble for that!

Since you are agency I hope you are not planning on returning to that facility after your "vacation." I would report the facility to what ever regualting agence has power over them. Perhaps to the governor (since it is a correctional facility) They have an obligation to take action.

On second thought you are being punished for wistle blowing. Depending on your state's laws you may have recourse, but only if you choose to stay.

However, do not expect anyone to corraborate your report after seeing what happened to you.

gypsyatheart · Sep 1, 2003

Originally posted by rdhdnrs
Working on high-risk OB, it happens a lot. The most recent, and one I can't shake, is a 23-weeker who was born looking a lot more like 26-27 weeks, crying, thrashing and peeing!!! We were thrilled. The neos resusitated because of the excellent prognosis. Next day the parents withdrew intubation, which was all he had. No pressors, abx or anything else. This kid was weaned to 21% O2. The parents are docs and I guess anything less than perfect was unacceptable. Can you tell I've had a hard time with this one? Not really an ethical dilemma, since I couldn't do anything about it, but a real feeling of helplessness.

OMG! That makes me want to cry! What is wrong w/those people??? Could no one intervene? I know it's THEIR baby, but geez! He is/was alive and doing well...now that's not right! Yes, very upsetting!

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2003

We aren't allowed to *withdraw* intervention unless the baby is DYING and has a miniscule to no chance of recovering or leading a quality life. If that baby's only problem was being vented (i.e., no serious resp. issues other than prematurity and possibly surfactant defeciency), had no 4+ IVH, etc., I would ask for an ethics committee meeting ASAP! Based on the info you provided here, that's not even legal where I live!!