Published
This seems to be strange. What kind of PICU has only 1 RN? What city in California is this? I work in a PICU with 20 beds. Our min nurses on are 10; that is with easy, well patients. Normally we are 1:1. If this was truley an PICU, then the state of Cal, mandates 1:2 min ratio. I know that our PICU doesn't even hire LVNs; (they can't do IV push meds, can't legally assess, etc.
Our manager would have come in, as they have had to in the past during a few wicked nights of traumas! (PS. we're in L.A.)
sharann, BSN, RN
1,758 Posts
I have a question for you.
What would you do if you came for your shift and found out that you, an RN would be alone for the noc shift with only one LVN to help you. You have 3 vented total care (read SICK) patients and you may get a 4 th during the night from surgery.
Keep in mind, I am not this nurse, but I had to be the unfortunate one to bring from surgery the 4 th pt, a sick, sick child. I think I would have refused to accept the assignment. I know this is easy to say, but I could get another job easier than having to explain in court why I accepted the assignment.
I'd appreciate your opinions.
I'm sure I do NOT need to even mention that the nursing supervisor couldn't care less about the staff nurses dilemma.