Staffing ratios while orientating?

I am orientating as a brand new Med Surg Nurse in a rural hospital (graduated May 08). I have a great preceptor. Normally, between the two of us, we do not have more than 5 patients so that she can be there to answer all of my questions, assist, ect. I have been on the job for 1.5 months and we work 3 12 hour shifts/week.

On our last shift, we had 5 patients and we were busy with them. The Nurse Manager then informed my preceptor that she had to take on 2 more patients, new post op admits. This left her little time to assist me with questions that came up for me throughout the rest of the day with our original 5. Of course I looked up answers to my questions, asked other nurses, etc...but it took me soo much time and was soo frustrating.

My question...were we out of compliance? Since, technically, my preceptor had 7 patients under her name while orientating me? Oh, and we did not have a shift manager on that day, and the nurse manager did not stick around to help.

I am totally comfortable with 3 patients, almost good with 4......but 5 I was overwhelmed. I realize it all comes with time.

I really do not want to lose my license when I just got it! It also appears that at our hospital, saying no to accepting patients when you already is five is not an option! That scares me!

Thanks.