Nurse to Patient ratio's

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2004

Try your state's website for department of health or aging... it varies from state to state.

weasle3 · Feb 2, 2004

I work in a LTC facility on the 3rd shift. I am the only LPN on the unit with 3 aides and 64 residents.

MellyAnn · Feb 10, 2004

Hey everyone. I work in a LTC facility on 3-11. I am charge nurse of 27 patients and 2 CNAs and usually 1 orderly for a few male residents. This is pretty typical for all the shifts and all the halls at my job. It's pretty managable, although I am assigned to the hall with the most g-tube patients in the main area of the facility. I'm always the last one done with med passes, but the time goes quickly! :)

military girl · Feb 29, 2004

I have only 1 word to say,"Dangerous"

Who is your back-up? Where is the RN-available by phone? If that is the answer, it is the wrong one.

I think that you are putting yourself and your license in jeopardy. I know alot of nursing homes only staff the minimum, that is the reason why I turned down a job when I became a new LPN. I could get hired immediately, but the job was third shift, and if anything happened, the RN had to be called at home. I, as a new LPN did not feel comfortable with that scenario. I feel that it was the best thing for me at the time. I have since gone on to become a RN, and still, I would not settle for being the only nurse on a floor with 64 patients and two aids. That is totally unsafe.

tweetyd · Mar 4, 2004

I have been saying this for many years. But as far as Corp. is concerned it is the aquity not the no. of patients to nurse. I feel so very bad for the CNA's who have to change, wash and get up so many patient's prior to the morning shift coming in, whom I might add are very well staffed to be able to care for 6 to 10 patients feed and change them. The whole system really needs revamping. I've worked nights for more than 12 years love the peace hate the low staff ratio :crying2:

God is the light

I have only 1 word to say,"Dangerous
Who is your back-up? Where is the RN-available by phone? If that is the answer, it is the wrong one.
I think that you are putting yourself and your license in jeopardy. I know alot of nursing homes only staff the minimum, that is the reason why I turned down a job when I became a new LPN. I could get hired immediately, but the job was third shift, and if anything happened, the RN had to be called at home. I, as a new LPN did not feel comfortable with that scenario. I feel that it was the best thing for me at the time. I have since gone on to become a RN, and still, I would not settle for being the only nurse on a floor with 64 patients and two aids. That is totally unsafe.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Mar 5, 2004

My facility has 142 beds...ALL of which are Medicare certified. There are 41 beds on the subacute floor. We've been running with one nurse for 21 patients, one for 20 and one at the desk. Used to have 3 nurses for patient care AND a nurse manager. We have 4 CNA's on day shift. Evenings...2 nurses and 3 CNA's and nights 2 nurses scheduled and 2 CNA's. ACUITY???? My corporation hasn't a clue what that means. They count numbers of people in the beds.

TLFRYE · Mar 6, 2004

I Started Back Working In A Nursing And Rehab Center @ 6 Monthes Ago. I'm The Day Time Charge Nurse Of 23 Residents. I Have 2 Cnas And Myself. We Have Over Three-fourths Of Our Residents Being Totally Dependent On Staff For All Needs. My Unit Is Covered By 1 Cna On 11- 7 And A Nurse That Covers My Unit And The Adjoining Unit With Another 27 Residents. Mind You The 2nd Unit Is An Alzheimer's Unit. The Night Cna Only Gets Up 3-4 Res.. Breakfast Trays Our On Our Unit By 745 And Some Days Residents Are Not Being Fed Untill 9-9:30. I've Actually Had Days Were Its Been 10 Am. My Don Gives An Occasional Bandaid But It's Quite Tiresome To Work Like This. I Have Seen Alot Of Turn Around In All Depts.. We're Constantly Out Of Supplies Or Clean Linens. Yet I Can't Give Up Hope That Its Got To Get Better. I've Grown To Love My Residents But I Don't Know What Else To Do To Make Their Situation Better. I Live In Va Where There Are No Staffing Ratios. I Love Nursing But This Pace Is Gonna Kill Me.

Rnltc · Mar 7, 2004

I was woundering what Corp. eveyone works for. Is there one any better than the other one?

I know with all the budget cuts from the GOV. corp have very little choice.

We all need to wakr our goverment up.

Did you know LTC is as regulated as a nuerclor power plant?

Did you cirminals get more the our elderly do?

I work for Extendicare.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2004

I was woundering what Corp. eveyone works for. Is there one any better than the other one?
I know with all the budget cuts from the GOV. corp have very little choice.
We all need to wakr our goverment up.
Did you know LTC is as regulated as a nuerclor power plant?
Did you cirminals get more the our elderly do?
I work for Extendicare.

I work for Extendicare too. I've only been in LTC for about 9 years and have seen lots of changes, but what affects us the most has been the governments involvement or regualation of nursing homes. Yes alot of it has been for the best, but the changes in reimbursements and the way the budget is affected has been the worse.