It's been interesting lately at the Hotel. As usual, as the temperatures go up outside, the tempers flare on the inside. Lately, things have been wilder than ever.
We have a full house again, with lots of work and lots of scheduled vacations, we are back to some folks working overtime. People are crabby, whiny, and generally out of sorts. A few people are even angry, patients and staff included.
Several patients are angry at the doctors for keeping them at the Hotel when they could be home enjoying summer. This, in turn, makes them lash out at the nursing staff. A few of the people I have taken care of have gotten so incensed that they have mounted a campaign to get one staff member in trouble.
How? They composed a suggestion and put it in the suggestion box on the unit which is monitored by the Manglement for the sake of maintaining the ever-onerous "high satisfaction" ratings. Since the named staff member was already in hot water, said person got called to a meeting with the head honchos to determine his fate.
And when that drama is over, someone also "suggested" that staff is sleeping on the night shift. No one knows who did it, but it's caused lots of anger amongst the ranks of the night shift and among the supervisors, too.
So I'm thinking of making a few suggestions myself out of the box:
1. Get a framed copy of the patient agreement put up on our unit. You'd be surprised how many times we try to enforce the rules and patients say, "I knew nothing about that." even though they get a copy and are advised in advance.
2. Maybe we all need to start spouting chapter and verse, so patients really get it when they have a complaint with staff. My line, "You need to notify the charge nurse, then the nurse manager. If that is not resolved appropriately, patient relations number is extension XXXX, because it is your right (as noted in #1) to get your needs addressed."
3. Do not whisper: speak and communicate. Tell other nurses if their patients have problems before reporting it to the boss as appropriate.
Showing posts with label night shift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label night shift. Show all posts
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A sweet surprise
One of my coworkers made me this treat for helping him/her with BSN homework. The RehabRN household gives it a two thumbs up.
And in honor of Tax Day, and in honor of the not one, not two, but three call-ins on night shift, yours truly gets to go into work at O'Dark 30 and escape at noon.
Just in time to pay the taxes...
And in honor of Tax Day, and in honor of the not one, not two, but three call-ins on night shift, yours truly gets to go into work at O'Dark 30 and escape at noon.
Just in time to pay the taxes...
Monday, March 14, 2011
Call a spade a spade
Working with F, I learn a lot of things that happen on the night shift. She is in tuned to a lot of things going on.
Recently, F. discussed how many people we work with are passive aggressive. When we looked at what's going on, we figured that 90% of the people we work with fit the profile. Is it because of our boss, or our environment? It sure makes this look like it's happening at our place.
Besides the latest state of aggression, the latest wave of flu is hitting the unit. People are dropping like flies. It sure would be nice if those same people might think about getting a flu shot next year...or staying home when they're contagious, so they don't share it with the rest of us.
Should be fun to see how the rest of the week goes. Stay tuned!
Recently, F. discussed how many people we work with are passive aggressive. When we looked at what's going on, we figured that 90% of the people we work with fit the profile. Is it because of our boss, or our environment? It sure makes this look like it's happening at our place.
Besides the latest state of aggression, the latest wave of flu is hitting the unit. People are dropping like flies. It sure would be nice if those same people might think about getting a flu shot next year...or staying home when they're contagious, so they don't share it with the rest of us.
Should be fun to see how the rest of the week goes. Stay tuned!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The changing tides
Have you ever had a day, where when you arrived you wanted to leave? That was one of my shifts recently. We had a quiet shift going on, but the mood was just not right. Lots of tension in the air, and with the rising heat and humidity, this was not good.
My favorite charge nurse (FCN) had returned after a long vacation, sunburnt but happy. She was frazzled, though. I know she is when she starts saying, "Can't do xx without an order" It made me want to ask her what was going on, since I know quite well that nursing judgment does not require an order. I also know which doctors will appreciate my use of nursing judgment and which (one) will not.
As the night went on, however, things went well. Call lights were answered promptly, things got done and (gasp!) staff had time to take breaks to eat and read and relax a bit. Those moments helped a lot.
FCN was feeling good, and with a few good cups of coffee in a quiet place, in a much better mood.
So by the time the shift ended, things were really peaceful. We walked out as the next shift came on. And hopefully, the tides lapped quietly in the night, and left our overnight friends with a shift as good as ours.
More to come...
My favorite charge nurse (FCN) had returned after a long vacation, sunburnt but happy. She was frazzled, though. I know she is when she starts saying, "Can't do xx without an order" It made me want to ask her what was going on, since I know quite well that nursing judgment does not require an order. I also know which doctors will appreciate my use of nursing judgment and which (one) will not.
As the night went on, however, things went well. Call lights were answered promptly, things got done and (gasp!) staff had time to take breaks to eat and read and relax a bit. Those moments helped a lot.
FCN was feeling good, and with a few good cups of coffee in a quiet place, in a much better mood.
So by the time the shift ended, things were really peaceful. We walked out as the next shift came on. And hopefully, the tides lapped quietly in the night, and left our overnight friends with a shift as good as ours.
More to come...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A note to all the civilians out there
Yes, your friends in the medical or healthcare industry may scare you.
I went out a while ago with some friends from high school. You could almost part the room by who's in a healthcare job and who is not or is not familiar with the healthcare industry.
Some interesting observations:
1. People with boys tend to know a lot about emergency rooms. One of my friends has several and rarely blanches when he tells the stories of Kid X running into the fancy glass table at the department store and getting a cut on his head or when Kid Y goes and has a compound arm fracture after some skateboarding stunt gone awry.
I just thank my lucky stars I don't work in the pediatric ER.
2. Allied health professionals often have their own interesting stories about doctors. One friend has a doctor she works with who asks her to call the special back office line so he can take care of whatever she needs for his patients right away. She can also tell you what doctors have the best staff in town.
3. Another one of my friends still works the night shift after several kids and 18+ years. I never cease to be amazed at how well she functions. I just shudder at the thought of 18 hours on the night shift, let alone 18 years! She works at a major teaching hospital, so she always has some funny stories about dazed and confused people on nights, especially the residents.
Sometimes I think she should have been a nurse. She'd be one kicka$s patient advocate. She is kind and pleasant and takes no crap from anyone.
4. One of my friends is a doc. I always think about this before I get really annoyed. Friend A has some great stories and some real heartbreakers, so I know the line Dr. K. told me a long time ago is really is true: "I have some patients I will never forget."
5. I am always surprised that these same healthcare professionals, who have years of experience tell me that they're amazed at what I do, and here I am, a newbie nurse. And no, I didn't pay them to say that. They work 24/7 just like we do. They've paid their dues and they've put on the flak jackets when some crazed MD or patient screams at them for no reason.
It reminds me that in many environments, nurses are on the front lines of healthcare. We are in the hospital trenches with patients. First, when things get down and dirty, we have to go and get whomever cleaned up and out of there. We're a little like infantry in that regard; a little like MPs, since we have to keep our guard up and watch out for trouble.
Finally, it gives me hope to know that these good people, doing their jobs in the other healthcare disciplines, are out there watching my back, too, even if they're not next to me in the trenches.
I went out a while ago with some friends from high school. You could almost part the room by who's in a healthcare job and who is not or is not familiar with the healthcare industry.
Some interesting observations:
1. People with boys tend to know a lot about emergency rooms. One of my friends has several and rarely blanches when he tells the stories of Kid X running into the fancy glass table at the department store and getting a cut on his head or when Kid Y goes and has a compound arm fracture after some skateboarding stunt gone awry.
I just thank my lucky stars I don't work in the pediatric ER.
2. Allied health professionals often have their own interesting stories about doctors. One friend has a doctor she works with who asks her to call the special back office line so he can take care of whatever she needs for his patients right away. She can also tell you what doctors have the best staff in town.
3. Another one of my friends still works the night shift after several kids and 18+ years. I never cease to be amazed at how well she functions. I just shudder at the thought of 18 hours on the night shift, let alone 18 years! She works at a major teaching hospital, so she always has some funny stories about dazed and confused people on nights, especially the residents.
Sometimes I think she should have been a nurse. She'd be one kicka$s patient advocate. She is kind and pleasant and takes no crap from anyone.
4. One of my friends is a doc. I always think about this before I get really annoyed. Friend A has some great stories and some real heartbreakers, so I know the line Dr. K. told me a long time ago is really is true: "I have some patients I will never forget."
5. I am always surprised that these same healthcare professionals, who have years of experience tell me that they're amazed at what I do, and here I am, a newbie nurse. And no, I didn't pay them to say that. They work 24/7 just like we do. They've paid their dues and they've put on the flak jackets when some crazed MD or patient screams at them for no reason.
It reminds me that in many environments, nurses are on the front lines of healthcare. We are in the hospital trenches with patients. First, when things get down and dirty, we have to go and get whomever cleaned up and out of there. We're a little like infantry in that regard; a little like MPs, since we have to keep our guard up and watch out for trouble.
Finally, it gives me hope to know that these good people, doing their jobs in the other healthcare disciplines, are out there watching my back, too, even if they're not next to me in the trenches.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Ahh...sweetness!
The tang of the wheat beer and those darned barbecue potato chips...ahh!
I'm so glad it's Friday, I'm so glad it's Friday, I kept saying to myself today. I felt like I was constantly behind, even when I wasn't. Nevertheless, I made it through the day.
Lately, I've seen and felt a lot of emotions, as I've been running around the unit. Anger...that patient who just won't cooperate with his/her rehab goals. I finally capitulated to the coordinator, since the patient is stalling and just taking out frustrations on yours truly. The psych people took another tack...put the ball in his/her court and bring up discharge. Yes, this changed things some, but I still elected to work with another patient. It was hard to give up, but I felt in the interest of everyone, it made sense. So did the coordinator, which worked for me.
Anticipation...I'm getting ready for upcoming conferences and vacations. It's such a pleasant thought to think that in mere weeks, I'll be having fun outside the Hotel Rehab. I also got out of the GRE when I found out my grad program no longer requires it. I got my application in to the program just in the nick of time, so we'll see if I get accepted.
Excitement...Yesterday, I went to a training session on using our medication administration system. No one else showed up when I went, so basically, I had the person in charge all to myself for about an hour. It was great. I hope to someday end up in that department, and I got a whole lot of face time and plenty of information to boot...and a reference.
Outside of the emotions, there's always the physical aspect of the job. A whole lot of heaving and ho-ing. I had two patients that got up all three days. Neither of these two patients are lightweights (180+ lbs.). I did get both of them to help me. Almost all of our lifts have buttons on cords, so I could give them the cords to put themselves down in the chair as I pulled them into place with the handles on the sling. This was wonderful...and kept them busy. They got a charge out of having some control on how they transferred from their bed to the wheelchair.
I could kvetch and moan about the craziness some of the night folks left me with...full hampers, full urine bags and totally fsked up IVs, but I won't. I am celebrating the weekend. It won't be here forever, so I'm going to enjoy it, snow or no snow. I hope you do, too, wherever you are.
More to come...
I'm so glad it's Friday, I'm so glad it's Friday, I kept saying to myself today. I felt like I was constantly behind, even when I wasn't. Nevertheless, I made it through the day.
Lately, I've seen and felt a lot of emotions, as I've been running around the unit. Anger...that patient who just won't cooperate with his/her rehab goals. I finally capitulated to the coordinator, since the patient is stalling and just taking out frustrations on yours truly. The psych people took another tack...put the ball in his/her court and bring up discharge. Yes, this changed things some, but I still elected to work with another patient. It was hard to give up, but I felt in the interest of everyone, it made sense. So did the coordinator, which worked for me.
Anticipation...I'm getting ready for upcoming conferences and vacations. It's such a pleasant thought to think that in mere weeks, I'll be having fun outside the Hotel Rehab. I also got out of the GRE when I found out my grad program no longer requires it. I got my application in to the program just in the nick of time, so we'll see if I get accepted.
Excitement...Yesterday, I went to a training session on using our medication administration system. No one else showed up when I went, so basically, I had the person in charge all to myself for about an hour. It was great. I hope to someday end up in that department, and I got a whole lot of face time and plenty of information to boot...and a reference.
Outside of the emotions, there's always the physical aspect of the job. A whole lot of heaving and ho-ing. I had two patients that got up all three days. Neither of these two patients are lightweights (180+ lbs.). I did get both of them to help me. Almost all of our lifts have buttons on cords, so I could give them the cords to put themselves down in the chair as I pulled them into place with the handles on the sling. This was wonderful...and kept them busy. They got a charge out of having some control on how they transferred from their bed to the wheelchair.
I could kvetch and moan about the craziness some of the night folks left me with...full hampers, full urine bags and totally fsked up IVs, but I won't. I am celebrating the weekend. It won't be here forever, so I'm going to enjoy it, snow or no snow. I hope you do, too, wherever you are.
More to come...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Nuggets for March 26
Here are a few items of interest that I've read recently. Hope you find them useful!
If you haven't heard it already, your risk of cancer goes up if you work the night shift. (from cnn.com)
Are you getting ready for spring by dropping a few pounds? Here's a great list of cost-effective ways to do it from the Mayo Clinic's Low Cost Ways to Shape Up.
I had to chuckle when I read this one last week. It's not from a health publication, but it is entertaining: Old age begins at 27. (from the UK's Daily Mail)
There's been a lot of stuff in the news the last few months about new artificial sweeteners, particularly stevia (aka Truvia). However, just recently CNN did a story on miracle fruit, which alters your taste buds. It may sound like a marketing ploy, but there's some interesting research going on with cancer patients undergoing chemo. It seems, for some, that this little berry, helps food taste better while they're receiving treatment.
Breathing is a really good thing. If you can control your breathing effectively, you can reduce your blood pressure, especially with gadgets like these. It sounds crazy, but it looks like it can work with some people.
Finally, an article I truly enjoy: Caffeine: A legal performance enhancer (from www.nytimes.com). I'm not going to run a marathon, but boy, does coffee help my marathon at work!
If you haven't heard it already, your risk of cancer goes up if you work the night shift. (from cnn.com)
Are you getting ready for spring by dropping a few pounds? Here's a great list of cost-effective ways to do it from the Mayo Clinic's Low Cost Ways to Shape Up.
I had to chuckle when I read this one last week. It's not from a health publication, but it is entertaining: Old age begins at 27. (from the UK's Daily Mail)
There's been a lot of stuff in the news the last few months about new artificial sweeteners, particularly stevia (aka Truvia). However, just recently CNN did a story on miracle fruit, which alters your taste buds. It may sound like a marketing ploy, but there's some interesting research going on with cancer patients undergoing chemo. It seems, for some, that this little berry, helps food taste better while they're receiving treatment.
Breathing is a really good thing. If you can control your breathing effectively, you can reduce your blood pressure, especially with gadgets like these. It sounds crazy, but it looks like it can work with some people.
Finally, an article I truly enjoy: Caffeine: A legal performance enhancer (from www.nytimes.com). I'm not going to run a marathon, but boy, does coffee help my marathon at work!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Am I seeing a pattern?
Last year, one day after the traditional end of February, I was on my old unit at Saintarama getting some paperwork done. While I was there, a patient coded.
Yesterday, I'm walking in the door and notice one of the people I usually see was not there. I asked what was going on. The answer: he coded in the early AM on the night shift.
The day shift was busy, too. I ended up with one less patient on my assignment. This one didn't code, but he won a lights and sirens trip to the nearest hospital for a dose of tPA.
Just makes you wonder...
Yesterday, I'm walking in the door and notice one of the people I usually see was not there. I asked what was going on. The answer: he coded in the early AM on the night shift.
The day shift was busy, too. I ended up with one less patient on my assignment. This one didn't code, but he won a lights and sirens trip to the nearest hospital for a dose of tPA.
Just makes you wonder...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Nuggets for March 26
Here are the latest articles of note I've read recently.
Night shift, sleep deprivation may be hazardous to health (from the LA Times)
More and more articles are discussing research into this very important issue.
High blood pressure runs in families (from Yahoo!News)
Another interesting study about hypertension.
Hospitals go automated (from kansas.com)
One hospital group's take on automation
Night shift, sleep deprivation may be hazardous to health (from the LA Times)
More and more articles are discussing research into this very important issue.
High blood pressure runs in families (from Yahoo!News)
Another interesting study about hypertension.
Hospitals go automated (from kansas.com)
One hospital group's take on automation
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