Patient Experience

I am on my unit's "Patient Experience Team." This is a group that gets together monthly to discuss Press-Ganey results and the overall feel of our unit. We are attempting to increase our patients' satisfaction in regards to our care, the unit atmosphere, and the overall experience during their stay. It is hard to admit but our scores on the Press Ganey surveys were terrible. Especially in the courtesy of the nurses category.

We have been busy working on improving these issues but we are only making tiny improvements. I really hope that we can make a difference in the way the patients' view their experiences. I don't want my patients to see the addition of a little one to their family as a bad experience.

Wednesday's Words

I have decided that every Wednesday I will post something interesting or vulgar or funny that a patient or family member has said to me.


Baby daddy: "When are they going to cut the extra skin off his dick?"

Me: "I'll ask your doctor."

Staffing

Let's talk staffing for my unit. We are trying to become "Baby Friendly" which overall means more emphasis on the mother-baby couplet as opposed to them as individuals. I love the concept but it has been very hard to stick to this goal. When I first started working nights we averaged 4-5 couplets per nurse. Then, when the baby friendly movement came along, we went to 3-4 which worked out great for bonding and breastfeeding support.

A few weeks ago, one of our RNs transferred to another unit and another RN from nights transferred to days. This was a hit on our staffing and of course right at this time, our census began being out of control. Being full every night is great but also hard because our ratios are higher. Then, one RN quit! Another punch to the faces of the night nurses. Lastly, one last night nurse was offered a day position. Through all of this, the managers have only hired one new nurse and she will be on orientation for a while.

It is so hard to provide the care that is necessary, especially for the new parents. They need support and education which is next to impossible to provide when you have 5 other couplets to care for.

Recently I cared for a mother who had to take her baby off life support due to multiple anomalies and it was so emotionally draining to give her the attention and support that she needed during this horrible time but even more draining to know that I had many other patients that needed me also.

Speaking of neonatal death... well, I have so many thoughts that it will need to be another post.

Energy

I really wish I had more energy to blog. Well, I wish I had more energy to do anything! I spend most of my days off resting and doing housework and rarely going out. Working 3 nights a week is draining but to be honest, the money is worth it.

Work had been really slow at the end of the summer and early fall but it definitely picked up throughout the holidays and even now its still been really busy. I love being busy, it helps pass the time. Have had some great families lately and some wonderful stories. I love caring for first time parents. I love seeing the joy in their eyes and also the fear. Sometimes it makes me want a baby. Eek! In a few years.

Speaking of, the wedding is 7 months away! We have so many things done but a lot left to do. We have started sending out our save the date magnets which are quite adorable if I do say so myself. Our guest list is ever expanding and is up to 210 right now. We have a DJ, a photographer, a venue and I also booked my hair and makeup stylist. Oh and I booked a block of rooms for our guests at a hotel by the shore. It is coming so fast but I was thinking that after it is over, nothing will really be different. Matt and I will come home and live life like we have been living except with new rings on our fingers. I am really happy with that though. Just solidifying our lives together.

I have nothing else to report at this time. I am going to work out and then go get a manicure and a pedicure. Then working three nights in a row starting night. I really hope I can get the energy to blog more because I follow so many blogs that I feel I should contribute!