Reply #16: I haven't watched Nurse Jackie [View All]

Although I weakening. I worked long term care for quite a while and witnessed the results of several nurse 'diverters' so the drug use part put me off. But I hear it's great, so I think I will start watching it.

And yes I hate the ridiculous way they promote "new ideas" which adds up to stressed out nurses and increased patient complaints. They used 'studies' for this particular care model, with more NAC's trained to be 'patient care technicians' which means they may or may not have time to do your blood sugars for you, provided it's not an unstable patient on an insulin drip--or just an unstable patient; empty drains for you, provided they themselves aren't so busy they don't quite get to it, or the drains need IV replacement; take all vital signs for you, which is great as long as you don't check the computer and find a BP of 78/40 charted without anyone notifying you. We have great PCT's but all of the above and more happens and will continue to happen. Plus, we do on-unit dialysis, both acute and outpatient. Obviously, I can go on and on, as can we all.

So, I'm looking up my own damn studies. I told my nurse manager from the studies I find if we staff the RN to pt ratio is any lower it increases deaths. We won't talk about injuries-- straight to dead.

When I'm charge I staff as liberally as the numbers can stretch. I'm a team player, sure. I cut my teeth in a nursing home. I know how to play, but I do try to fight back. Politely. Managers love polite. I'm gritting my teeth a lot as well.