Work in LTC ? – Does this nurse to patient ratio sound right ?

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  1. This is a discussion on Work in LTC ? – Does this nurse to patient ratio sound right ? in Geriatric Nurses / LTC Nursing, part of Nursing Specialties ... Hello everyone. I wanted your opinion in regards to this nurse to patient ratio. I’m a new...

    by Jul 8, '12
    Hello everyone.

    I wanted your opinion in regards to this nurse to patient ratio. I’m a new graduate Nurse and this would be my first job as an RN. I’m excited, but nervous at the same time. Just recently I was offered a position at a LTC facility. Overnights, 8-hour shifts, 11p-7:30a. There are 72 residents on this particular unit, divided into two wings. There are 2 nurses for 72 patients, each nurse will be responsible for 36 patients.

    How will I accomplish anything with such a big workload?

    If you work or have worked in LTC, can you please tell me the usual duties and routines of this environment.

    Thanks.
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    by RN-UMB Jul 8, '12 9:06 am
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    lindarn likes this.
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  3. 11 Comments so far...

  4. Jul 8, '12 by
    Yes this is typical. When I worked nights as an LPN I was alone on a floor of 43.
    lindarn likes this.
  5. Jul 8, '12 by
    Yup. And it isn't that bad. They are generally sleeping and your a.m. med pass will probably be a lot of Synthroid, Fosamax and Prilosec.

  6. Admin
    Jul 8, '12 by
    Moved to our Geriatric Nurses / LTC Nursing forum.
  7. Jul 8, '12 by
    I had somewhere between 20 and 55 in LTC and it was never easy. It's just plain too much and unsafe. If 2 people have an emergency what do you do when you're the only nurse available? LTC needs serious reform. I quit LTC because of the dangers to my license and the fact that I can't give the good care I want to when I have too many patients like that. Bless those willing to risk it but I am not comfortable like that. Even in daycares caregivers don't have that many kids. If a classroom has over 30 kids, there's an outrage about too many for the teacher to handle. she just has to get them all to behave, we're RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY of more than that, with a million meds to pass, treatments to give, deal with families, deal with orders and MDs, phone calls, pharmacy, cleaning, the list goes on. LTC was nothing but a nightmare for me.
    Last edit by JZ_RN on Jul 8, '12 : Reason: typo
    fireball78 and Wise Woman RN like this.
  8. Jul 9, '12 by
    For 11-7, this sounds like heaven. I norm had 48-50 on 11-7 at one place and at another around 70.
  9. Jul 9, '12 by
    We have 2 nurses on NOC for 73 residents and it works out well. We have 4-5 CNA's on, too. How many CNA's would be on? It matters tremendously!
  10. Jul 13, '12 by
    This is typical for most facilities. When I worked NOCs I had anywhere from 35 - 45 residents. It is manageable though! You'll come up with a system that works for you.
  11. Jul 13, '12 by
    I have 49 on 3-11, so your ratio sounds good to me! As someone said, most of your pts will (hopefully) be sleeping. And quality LTC facilities won't schedule meds/treatments in the middle of the night. This violates the residents' rights.
  12. Jul 13, '12 by
    I have 54 by myself on 11-7. It **sucks**, especially since every woman in that dang place AND
    some of the men, are on Synthroid. Plus I only have two CNA's.