High expectations

I’m exhausted with the expectations placed on me as an ICU nurse.

I keep needing to do more in a 1:1 level of care setting. Managing an unstable patient. Endless orders, oceans of charting and supporting families all at the same time.

Families see me sitting outside of my patient’s room. What they don’t see is that I’m titrating medications, observing and watching for subtle changes, which can make the difference between patients getting better and deteriorating further, documenting every intervention and anticipating what could go wrong next.

It’s frustrating having patients who are transferable to the ward without being able to move out of the ICU while patients who need ICU have to wait for the care they need.

I love being an ICU RN. I love the teamwork, complexity and helping those in most dire need of care.

Compassion doesn’t replace the need for resources and the strains on the system.

At what point do the demands and sacrifices nurses are making to keep the health-care system running stop?

Note: The comments expressed here do not necessarily represent the views and goals of ONA.