[LaRose]

Have you checked the AACN (Critical Care) website? I believe that they require 1 nurse: 2 patients. You should be able to find some guidance there.

[BBFRN]

My hospital would never, ever leave 1 nurse on the ICU- even if there is only 1 patient. Heck, they won't even leave 1 nurse on a TCU with 1 patient. And I'm not in CA.

[indiananursemeg]

I work in a small hospital with a 5-bed "special care unit", which is our ICU. We staff 1 RN at all times who is responsible for total care of up to 3 patients, and monitoring and reading up to 8 telemetry's. I was wondering if this is common in small hospitals, or if additional help, such as an aide or secretary are staffed as well. We are supposed to get an additional nurse, and RN or LPN, for more than 3 patients. Depending on patient acuity, it is possible to have 2 nurses for 3 patients. Is it common to have one nurse alone? It's hard to get assistance turning cleaning, doing dressing changes and patients usually have to wait while I search for help.

[LaRose]

It is not safe to leave one RN in any acute care setting alone or with just an aide or LPN/LVN. There need to be 2 RNs when even 1 patient is in this type of setting. Look for safety guidelines.