Is this workload normal?
So I’m about 1 year into my first RT job. I work at a hospital that’s probably around 1200 to 1400 beds in a very large Medical Center. I have some leads that tell me that the workload is normal. However all my friends that graduated, and work at different hospitals around the state have told me that my workload is insane (which I agree). We have also had RTs come in with 10 to 15 years experience and say nowhere is like this. I just feel bad because I’m not able to adequately care for my patients. I also feel like I’m putting my license at risk. I have compiled a list of what some of my shifts have look like.
I’ve had up to 15 ventilators with no help by myself while also covering non-vent patients needing breathing treatments. those non-vintage patients often never get seen due to the quantity of vents I have.
I’ve covered 4-5med-surg floors with 20+ patients including nebs, IPV/CPT, etc.
I’ve had ICU assignments with 8 vents while simultaneously covering the ED.
STAT CT/MRI transports on ventilated patients are frequently delayed because there simply aren’t enough RTs available to take them. Then the doctors take it out on me.
Bronchoscopies completely derail my assignment when there’s no additional support. I’ve had shifts with 5+ bronchs in a unit and ended up only seeing some patients once the entire shift since i’m unable to complete my rounds because no one is available to help.
I’ve worked shifts with ECMO, nitric, multiple bronchs, nearly double-digit vents, and no lead/resource therapist.
I have been unable to have lunch several times.
Most shifts feel like nonstop triage from clock-in to clock-out.