CVMC Freedom Wall
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Open Letter Regarding Project Preparation and Patient Ratios
Dear Boss,
As the nursing team, we would like to address a recent situation that has placed undue stress on our ability to provide our patients with the highest standard of care. As healthcare professionals, we are deeply committed to our responsibilities. However, proper preparation and appropriate staffing are crucial in delivering the best care possible.
In a recent case, we were only given the necessary resources and instructions the day before. This last-minute preparation left us in a difficult position, scrambling to meet expectations and increasing the risk of errors. We are not trying to avoid responsibility. We ask for fairness and a work environment where planning and preparation are done ahead of time so that we can perform at our best.
When mistakes did occur, we were asked to submit Incident Reports (IRs) immediately, without consideration for the lack of adequate preparation and resources. Accountability is essential, but performing at our best under such conditions is difficult.
Additionally, the current patient-to-nurse ratio has become unjustifiable. While we understand that patient loads have always been a part of the job, the number of patients assigned to each nurse today is significantly higher than in the past. The healthcare landscape is evolving, and so are the needs of our patients. Today's challenges, including the complexity of patient conditions and increased workload, require a more reasonable and manageable patient ratio.
Your team is dedicated, hardworking, and committed to success. However, we are also human, and the lack of structure, support, and appropriate staffing is taking a toll on our well-being and the quality of care we can provide.
We hope you can hear our concerns and work with us to improve the process for both productivity and everyone's well-being.
Thank you for your time and understanding