Blaming the nurse

51 I posted this in another thread as a comment but it got me thinking about all the things that nursing is blamed for. I thought it would make an interesting thread. Hopefully it won't be labeled as "negative"...lots of comments around about being too negative. I'm getting a little paranoid.

Seems as far as nursing is concerned, the buck stops here.


Consent not signed? Nurses fault
Room is dirty? Nurses fault
Patient's family is unhappy? Nurses fault
Hurt your back turning a patient? Nurses fault
Patient didn't get meal tray despite being ordered? Nurses fault
Labs were ordered in the computer, drawn and sent but no result yet? Nurses fault
Pharmacy mislabeled the med and it was given? Nurses fault
Home med sheet not filled out yet? ( because no one knows what mama takes and I have no idea what the "little blue" pill is) Nurses fault
Patient satisfaction scores down? Nurses fault
Crappy channel selection on the tv? Nurses fault
Patients unable to be taken care of properly due to staffing issues? Nurses fault
Patient got a bedsore (even though they weigh 600# and the bigboy bed doesn't have a "rotation or turn" feature and it takes three people to hold up the tremendous panniculus just to apply powder to her abdomen skin fold)? Nurses fault

Agree? Disagree?
Doctor orders EKG @ 0600, shows up at 0500, EKG not done - nurses fault.0730 FSBS not done @ 0630 - nurses fault.Pt. admitted for abdominal distress with NVD throws up after family smuggles in a Dairy Queen Triple Meat Cheeseburger w/ jalapenos, a large order of onion rings, a root beer float, and a banana split for dessert - nurses fault.Are we starting to cover it yet?

I know it sure feels that way. I think that's because the nurse is the "one in charge" and the one on the front line who gets to manage and oversee everything for their patients. Aren't we lucky? LoL

Quote from kona2I know it sure feels that way. I think that's because the nurse is the "one in charge" and the one on the front line who gets to manage and oversee everything for their patients. Aren't we lucky? LoL

MDs order UA on oliguric incontinent patient. Patient urinates a teeny bit once in the first 18 hours--into the bedding. MDs order the same UA 4 MORE TIMES that day (as if we didn't notice the order the first time). Patient gets dialysis and has not voided again in the next 2 days. MDs then order 24 hour urine collection! CV surgeon writes a nasty scathing note blaming RNs for their failure to send the urine labs in a timely manner.

the media in minnesota was blaming us for the high cost of healthcare.

Stuff rolls downhill, and unfortunately we are at the bottom of the hill!

Quote from NOCnewbieMDs order UA on oliguric incontinent patient. Patient urinates a teeny bit once in the first 18 hours--into the bedding. MDs order the same UA 4 MORE TIMES that day (as if we didn't notice the order the first time). Patient gets dialysis and has not voided again in the next 2 days. MDs then order 24 hour urine collection! CV surgeon writes a nasty scathing note blaming RNs for their failure to send the urine labs in a timely manner.

Quote from canoeheadSend an empty container. Then it becomes the lab's fault.

cnas forgot to put in resident's hearing aids...nurse's fault.resident got a skin tear..nurse's fault

Charts not stuffed with progress notes for the MDs...nurse's faultThere's a loud pt. in the next room...nurse's faultMD will only order Percocet for pain, not IV dilaudid...nurse's faultCall MD at 2300 to clarify illegible order written by said MD (we are going to fully electronic charts next year)...nurse's faultPt. signs out AMA...nurse's faultNot only does "stuff" roll downhill but it also manages to hit the fan and get all over us...probably the nurse's fault lol

Ah, It's a dog eat dog world and nurses all wear milkbone underwear!

Well believe that the OP came up with a good one, by saying that she hoped this would not turn into a negative thread.....and really, so far it has not. It looks like we are all posting our thoughts with great humor. I have been laughing out loud