Best staffed specialty?????

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

i pose this question, because i am curious what everyone thinks. i've decided i'd like to work in the 'best staffed' specialty :chuckle . we all seem to think "the other units" get staffing priority. so i'm wondering if anyone will admit to working in a specialty that is (or better yet, has to be) the best staffed.

[newadventure]

I did an observation in NICU and they said that they are very well staffed and can't remember the last time any one as asked to pick up extra shifts. The biggest bonus they stated...No heavy lifting!

[begalli]

ICU and the work is sooooooooo interesting.

The ratios have been no more that 2:1 in CA since the '70's. From what I've read on these boards, for the most part, this is the way it is in at least half the states that are represented by posters here on allnurses.

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

Critical care is the best staffed, I think, universally. I have never heard of an ICU, CCU, CVICU, NICU or other "CU" with more than two patients per nurse.

Recall that these patients are also very intensely needy and can go south in a heart beat.

You will work hard. But you will have company!

[cannoli]

How about the customer service nurse's department, I bet that's well staffed.

[JVanRN]

How about the customer service nurse's department, I bet that's well staffed.

sorry but what is that?

[cannoli]

sorry but what is that?

There is a customer service department that an RN is in charge of, she used to have some other bigwig position in the hospital.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

So, maybe I should rephrase. NOt 'what it's supposed to be' but what is actually happening? Other than in Ca (as a poster replied), are these ratios being maintained, unlike where I work, where peds BMT is supposed to be 2:1 (at most) or on heme/onc, where it should be 3 or 4:1?

I was looking to see which units are 'never touched' when staff needs to be redistributed, or if a sick call comes it, must be replaced?

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

There is a customer service department that an RN is in charge of, she used to have some other bigwig position in the hospital.

But what does the nurse do? If it involves pt. complaints, it better be staffed well :chuckle :chuckle

[cannoli]

But what does the nurse do? If it involves pt. complaints, it better be staffed well :chuckle :chuckle

Schmooze, I think. :chuckle

[wjf00]

NICU where I work is almost always well staffed. Vented pt's are 1:1, Charge nurse has no assignment, we also have a nurse for deliveries that has no assignment, and we try to have a break relief person with no assigment.

[Sadie04]

Wow! That sounds incredible! I didn't know such a place existed!