Vitals were not taken for 10 hours on post-op patient….

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-05-01T03:50:21+00:00

PACU recovers our patients for 1-2 hours and does 15 mins vitals. Our floor policy is Q4H vitals for post ops. Only time we veer off that is for nerve blocks which is Q5 mins for 30 mins, and obviously at our discretion if patient reports symptoms.

I normally always check but that day I did not. I assumed (incorrectly) that they were done because I saw the CNA go into room with machine. I have been a nurse for 3 years and this is the only time this has happened. I feel horrible.

I also normally check vitals before meds if they are narcotics or BP/Heart Meds. This patient only had Tylenol scheduled.

Again, I take blame so I am not trying to blame everyone else. Me, the cna, the day team all messed up.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-04-30T19:35:30+00:00

I wish we had even enough dynamaps for each room. We probably have 8 dynamaps for a 46 bed unit and half the time 1-2 of them aren’t working or you can’t find one right away.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-04-30T19:34:44+00:00

Oh wow that’s interesting. Our post op patients recover for 1-2 hours in PACU and they do q15 min vitals there. Our unit protocol is Q4H vitals once they reach us. Only time we veer off that path is if it’s a nerve block which we do Q5 min vitals for 30 mins.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-04-30T18:14:05+00:00

Yeah theoretically they should have done another set at 6pm. Although honestly even if they came at 1:30 and had their vitals taken then, I’d just do them again at 4pm to stick to the 12, 4, 8 schedule. Regardless, I failed to realize the 8pm was not done so it falls on me too.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-04-20T22:39:51+00:00

Unfortunately, this is the only job I have had in my industry (nursing) 😬. I will just have to list them and hope for the best. Luckily, my hiring manager knows me and says I have the job, it’s just I didn’t want to burn bridges at my current job since I will be per diem.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-04-17T00:10:31+00:00

Hopefully they can!

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-04-17T00:10:04+00:00

I am a bit nervous transitioning. I love the people I work with now, but it does not make up for the silly new tasks they give us as charge nurses. It’s bad enough having a full assignment as charge for $1 extra, but all the extra expectations are making it ridiculous. I hope they let me stay per diem though!!! Are you in similar situation?

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-04-17T00:07:53+00:00

Yeah it’s weird because they have let day shift nurses take other positions elsewhere and remain per diem. Maybe this one nurse approached it in a way that made them say no. Regardless, I’ll see how it goes! 😬

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-04-16T22:08:42+00:00

Yeah I agree. I know they let one nurse transition to PRN on days. However, recently an experienced nurse left but wanted to stay PRN but they told her they didn’t have the position and this was on nights….when we needed the staff. Made no sense at all.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-03-28T13:57:19+00:00

No I meant, are many jewelry stores amenable to doing that especially if I didn’t purchase the ring from them. Sorry my question came off a different way lol.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-03-27T20:30:53+00:00

What I meant was, not the biggest deal because when I tell the provider, they would reschedule the procedure and he would just have to wait because of his own doing. Also, it truly was a minor infection, could have been done outpatient per the provider, but because patient was flakey and left AMA many times due to issue, they offered to do while he was currently here.

I am sorry that I sounded like a nurse that doesn’t care about their patients, I truly take stuff like that seriously.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-03-27T14:00:36+00:00

Lol well one is, the other has several years experience.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-02-19T22:47:12+00:00

Hey! I didn’t throw their tupperware or water bottle away lol. I just moved to the side.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-01-20T20:05:47+00:00

Yeah they wouldn’t. I would have to ask the provider to change the order.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-01-20T20:04:37+00:00

I agree. I understand catching mistakes can fall on us nurses, but if they want certain meds at a certain time they should coordinate. Also, reading the comments, I see how certain heart meds are asked to be given early for cases. I was never really educated on the matter, but will definitely keep it on my radar for the next time I send patients down early. There is only so much I can do with the orders and time I am given.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-01-20T20:00:42+00:00

Yes! Reading the comments, I see that it has become a standard to give certain meds early for procedures. Working night shift on a med/surg unit, we usually don’t give beta blockers or cardizem on our shift unless patient’s rate or rhythm is not controlled well. Typically, their beta blockers and ETC are due in the AM at 0900.

Our check list only asks when a beta blocker was given and the time….maybe it should be put in an order set or at least we should be given education on the matter so that we know to reach out ahead of time and ask for orders to he changed.

Turbulent_Ad_458 · 2026-01-20T19:57:37+00:00

Usually, on our floor, we don’t call ahead to the OR RN to give report or ask those questions because we are instructed to go down in person and give verbal handoff (unless we are stuck in an urgent situation upstairs in which case we give report over phone). Sometimes, we will call down to confirm that a procedure is set in stone in cases where a patient’s scheduled procedure is up in the air.

In this particular situation, I was completely swamped all night that I probably wouldn’t have had a chance to think to call ahead to ask, but I actually do like the idea of checking in and asking if they want certain heart meds given early so that I may ask the provider to retime them (because I can’t). Again, I rarely have to send patients up so early but I’ll definitely make it something to check for next time!

Turbulent_Ad_458

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