[justatraveler]

Originally Posted by justatraveler

I worked in hospital with a 4:1 ratio on a busy M/S floor.DAYS. TPN, blood, ortho, pleur-vacs, fingersticks,epidurals, PCA's etc We had aides. Sometimes you got one all to yourself. When I hear about the ratios other have I cringe.

I still left. Have been gone now since 2000. And no amount of money could get me back there.

There was one over-riding reason. I was sssssssssssooooooo tired of the other nurses complaining constantly about every thing. It just wore me down.We started report at 0630. It lasted until 0730 For 20 patients. Geeeeeeeeesh. The night nurses basically read the kardex to us verbatim. And then the other nurses would read it again and make all those little boxes. Do you really have to put three boxes on a patient for blood sugars. If they get one at 0700 I bet they get on a noon time and just before the evening meal. They also made boxes for each med pass. WHY? And then they were flabbergasted when they came out of report and I had made my rounds on my 4 patients. Documented my findings, did blood sugars, gave insulin and was ready to start my 9:00 meds.BTW I left report at 0730 when I was done listening to the tape.

The other thing I see as a problem is all the ancillary nurses. Why do they need a nurse for the left great toe and a nurse for the right great toe. Why does a well staffed 20 patient unit need 3 secretaries on days. Why does a well staffed unit need a charge nurse two team leaders an assistant supervisior and a supervisior. Why does a well staffed 20 bed unit need 4 case managers.

That's were all the money goes. To nurses who aren't neccesarily doing patient care. Do you know the name of your Education Nurse and when was the last time she had an education session.

Too much fluff and overkill away from the bedside. Not to mention the higher ups.

I'm getting down now. Thank God I don't have to work in hospitals.
:frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated:

Good luck to all of you. If you can tolerate hospital nursing you deserve a medal...:houra: