Dear Flo
Special Edition
many questions about your new career
As a YNP, you may have
or your new life as a nurse. Who better to turn to than our own Lady
with the Lamp, Florence Nightingale?
Dear Flo,
I just finished the scariest night of my career! I work night shift on a med/surg unit, and last night I was the only
RN for 18 patients. Thank goodness I had help from an LPN and 2 nursing assistants. I tried to tell my
manager that I was concerned, but he just said, “I know you’ll figure it out, you always do.” How is that for
ignoring patient safety? Halfway through the night, a patient fell and I knew it was because there weren’t
enough of us on staff. When I called our supervisor, he was more annoyed that I bothered him than he was
interested in helping us care for our patients. I am so grateful that the patient wasn’t hurt. I don’t know how
much longer I can work like this. My goal is to provide excellent care for patients – not just do the best I can.
Please help!
Dear Scared,
I think most nurses can relate to the fear that you felt when you were unable to provide safe care to your
patients. I know I can! The first step you took was to call your immediate supervisor and report the issue. That
was the right thing to do. His response, however, was unprofessional. Now that you have reported the problem
to him, he is responsible and culpable for any errors/incidents that might occur as a result of not having
sufficient staffing. However, it doesn’t end there. You are still responsible to provide care regardless of his lack
of support.
Unfortunately, stories like yours are far too common. I’ve heard from many nurses that are frustrated because
they can’t provide the care that their patients deserve. They are aggravated that leadership seems to ignore
their concerns. Some have even left the profession as a result of unsafe staffing environments.
It’s time for nurses’ voices to be heard. We are 219,000 strong in Pennsylvania, 3.4 million strong in the
US! For too long we have not advocated for ourselves and our work environments. PSNA is here to do just
that. Yet, one or two voices only equal a whisper. We must all come together and amplify our voices above the
whisper. Our patients deserve nothing less. We are very good at advocating for our patients – we do it every
day – and now it is time to advocate on their behalf by ensuring that there are sufficient nurses to provide safe,
quality care and better outcomes. You don’t need a law degree or a degree in political science to be an
advocate. You have to be passionate about the issue for which you are advocating. It is time to share your
stories and frustrations with those whom you have elected to represent you in the legislature.
Join us on April 11, 2016 at the State Capitol for “Code Blue: A Nursing Emergency” and bring your passion
and your voice front and center as we join together to let our legislators know that safe staffing MUST be
addressed!
“Obviously these are some exceptional young people, but what they have in common is t hat they were
ordinary people who cared. They wanted to act, to do something, to make life better for other people—and
they have.” ― Morgan Carroll
Register to attend here!