[Bladestuck]

I understand how you feel. I have been on the med-surg floor for 1 year now after graduating. When I first was hired our patient load was 7-8 patients. Now they have done away with the CNA's and went to primary care nursing. We were informed that the patient load would be 4 patients the most on rare occations 5. During the last 4 months I might have had 4 patients half a dozen times. Usually run 5-6 with total care. Being the only male on the floor night shift charge nurse assigns the heavyest my way. I am going to be 50 soon and it is starting to wear. We have lost half of the nurses that was there when I started and have a lot of new fresh out of school. Med-Surg is a great floor to work for gaining knowledge. I love what I do and going to see what will happen in the future.