[jnette]

Originally Posted by CocoaGirl

jnette the reason that there is a 3:1 ratio in the neighboring state is that it is a state mandated ratio set by the kidney commission, believe me if it were up to FMC they would be 4:1. I know 4:1 is usually the standard, but with the acuity of the patients, all of the other BS that FMC wants done & the new inexperienced staff it is not a safe situation. (especially for 1 RN). We try to do the best that we can but everyone is stressed & burnt out.

I hear you, Cocoa.. believe me, I do. Been there, done that, and after nearly ten years could take no more and left while the leaving was good.. and the right thing to do.

Originally Posted by Lacie

When I worked for Davita the ratio was 4:1 (non-differentation to roles), it didnt matter what your role was as long as you were a body to open and close the building. Most times it was 1 RN (charge/giving meds/paperwork/and taking pts) then 2 pcts (always short). Best thing I ever did was LEAVE! I'm now with another company (not FMC or Davita). Our state mandate is 4:1. I now work 3:1 and the charge does NOT take pts therefore isnt counted in that ratio. There is a heaven lol. Just goes to show management can make the difference in keeping thier nurses happy if they actually try which is something I didnt see in the biggy companies. I work a KRU facility and will be moving on to acutes soon (thank goodness). But if I had to stay in chronics I love this company.

Good for you, Lacie !

[mmurphy]

In New Jersey i nurse ot 3 patients is the standard. It is defined as the standard by the New Jersey Department of Health.

[redknight]

I`m a new grad and have been offered a second interview with FMC.Now that I`ve read a few forms here I`m really concerned about going through with this interview. Am I putting my new grad butt in harms way?

[wordsmith]

I work in Oregon and I'm an RN.

Our facility, which has up to 24 chairs, generally has two RNs. We used to have 2 techs per 7 chairs but are now experimenting with the 1:4 techt ratio. Turnover can be nasty, especially if there are a lot of catheters and there are beginner techs, and the downside is that we're losing the teamwork effect that we've always had up 'til now. The RNs have always split the chairs in half and that hasn't changed.

I don't know if we'll keep the 1:4 thing but it's kind of a relief to know that it seems to be pretty much a standard. The administrator says we have too many RNs (!)--we find that hard to believe 'cuz whenever one of us comes in on a non-floor day that person winds up helping take off orders, answer the phone...you know, help with the nursing paper stuff because the floor staff are running their fannies off with crises. The way the acuity is rising I can't believe some of these people are still hanging in there. I know that sounds cynical but it's a testament to modern medicine and sheer stubbornness.

I'll stay with dialysis 'cuz I have a bad shoulder and can't lift the way I used to (an obese post-op patient and a student who didn't quite know how to roll someone over). Sure, I'd rather do telenursing or case management from home, but this ain't half bad, either, and I like to talk to the patients.

In Oregon the OARs (Oregon Administrative Rules) dictate staffing. They aren't exactly laws but have the force and effect of same. Just recently the staffing ratios in nursing homes, which hadn't been adjusted for something like 20 years, were changed to allow for increased acuities. About darn time, too.

[missouriman]

we are 6 patients to one nurse here in south dakota. it is to much.
turn over is really bad.
I will contact my state board and see if there is a set ratio.

[holiday2525]

I can hardly beleive that a company will allow you to work off the clock the fines can be large.What BS. Taco bell treid that and paid big! If the little guys could prevail over a huge fast food company, y9ou can too. I would look for a lawyer, see which other company offices are doing that and file a class action suite. You will win, but it will take time. By agreeing to work oof the clock you re allowing they company to take advantage of you and it is part and parcle of the atomsphere that has been created. Good luck.
0

[wnf3]

Originally Posted by kidneyhelper

I know I cant help with this,just wanted to share. I work in england in NHS dialysis unit our ratio is 2:5 (1RN+ renal assistant: 5patients) it is quite managable but since the FMC take over our ratio 1:4 for RN's and 1:8 for renal assistant, means 2 RN's are sharing for 1 renal assistant, and this is ridiculous. It is not our choice to go on private , its so happen that our NHS cutting down the budget, and we think everything FMC provided were cheap...We started as early as 6am for day shift coz our unit is running for 24 hours for 6 days

Hi,
I also work in England dialysis unit and our ratio is 2:8 ( 1RN + 1 tech: 8 patients). we start work at 6.30am and the last shift finish at 12.30am. the ratio works 99.9% of the time.

[elizatru]

Originally Posted by Lacie

When I worked for Davita the ratio was 4:1 (non-differentation to roles), it didnt matter what your role was as long as you were a body to open and close the building. Most times it was 1 RN (charge/giving meds/paperwork/and taking pts) then 2 pcts (always short). Best thing I ever did was LEAVE! I'm now with another company (not FMC or Davita). Our state mandate is 4:1. I now work 3:1 and the charge does NOT take pts therefore isnt counted in that ratio. There is a heaven lol. Just goes to show management can make the difference in keeping thier nurses happy if they actually try which is something I didnt see in the biggy companies. I work a KRU facility and will be moving on to acutes soon (thank goodness). But if I had to stay in chronics I love this company.

[elizatru]

Originally Posted by elizatru

hi I quit my job with davita yesterday, It was the same for me passing meds, pt assessments, put pts on take off, doing pct work, taking Drs orders and be treated like nothing I cried yesterday a lot but I know that was the best for me.