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.
