I frequently get asked what should I do if my unit is understaffed.

I know how difficult it can be to be understaffed on a busy medical surgical unit or for that matter, any unit and I know that hospitals and nursing homes discourage overtime.  Unfortunately, most state laws do not have any minimum staffing requirements.  You’re in between a rock and a hard place because you are required to accept the assignment that your supervisor gives you.  If you do not accept the assignment, it can be considered patient abandonment.  Certainly, your concern that you were unable to do the best job that you could is very legitimate.

If you are required to accept an assignment that you don’t feel you can safely complete, let your supervisor know in a polite manner.  Document that you discussed your concerns with the supervisor and keep them to yourself.  If something happens this, can help you.  But certainly this may also alienate you from your employer.  If anything happens, you will have something to support you of the conversation that you had.

Sometimes you are given a heavy assignment, but you surprise yourself and are able to complete it, giving great care to your patients.  Sometimes we prejudge situations and develop a mindset that it is too much work and that is actually what happens.  But when you make up your mind that you are going to do the best with the situation given the circumstances, you’ll be surprised how much easier it is.  Don’t forget to ask for help.  As nurses it is difficult for us to ask for help, but in situations like this where we are given a heavy assignment, we need to learn how to ask for help so that we can give the best care that we are able to our patient.  With regard to the overtime, make sure you completed your work.  Be sure to get it approved by your supervisor, if that is the policy of your employer.  If the hospital says that you should be able to complete your work without overtime, then you have documentation that you expressed concern about the heavy assignment and nothing was done about it.  I hope this information clarifies for you the law and the importance of taking the assignment, but gives you ideas on how to deal with the situation so you can be the best nurse you can be.