What are the nurse -pt ratio in NY

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2009

I was wondering if any one could tell me what the nurse - patient ratio's are like in NY on a med-surg unit? And is there usually ancillary help?
Thank you,

Just like every state except California, as there are no state mandated ratios, it depends on the hospital and availability of staff.

On Oncology in one place, it was 1 RN to 6-9 patients - round the clock. In another, it was 1 RN to 5-7, round the clock. And there were techs. But virtually every facility has a different ratio, just like everywhere else - thus you need to ask the specific facility and unit.

aakrn · Jan 16, 2009

I am hearing med surg at Nassau is 10-12...............that seem like alot to me. I am use to 8. Cannot imagine 4 more!

Bklyn_RN · Jan 17, 2009

I worked in medsurg previously and on average I had 7 to 9 patients with admissions or transfers from other floors giving me 10 to 11 at times. Then since I was staff, I had to be "charge" nusre on a rotating basis. On several occasions due to poor staffing I've had 12 to 14 patients. But its not really the patient load, its their acuity. And if you have blood transfusions, admissions etc. Also whether the usually unionized ancillary staff do their jobs or just figure the nurse will take care of everything, because she can do the task also, and is paid more.

One of the main reasons I left medsurg is that the PCTs at that hospital, most of whom have been there many years, do not like to be delegated to. Especially by a new person. But some of them were great and I would often tell them to go back to school to become a nurse too.

dmaster · Jan 17, 2009

How about in the ICU's? you guys have any idea whats the RN-patient ratio? I came from Florida but currently living in Los Angeles and we only get 1 or 2 patients. Im thinking of moving to NYC, but im a little scared of how much patient's will i get there.

Bklyn_RN · Jan 17, 2009

I have never worked in the ICU but ICU nurses have been floated to my floor when their census was low. Based on what they told me the average was 3 pts per RN, but could be 4 if staffing was low. But if you had an extremely critical pt you might just have 2. It would depend on the disgression of the charge nurse.

dmaster · Jan 18, 2009

ohh.. is that a standard in all hospital? what hospital do you work? if you dont mind me asking. Here if its really critical we only have one, those ready for transfer or if they are chronic then we get 2. 3-4 patient's is for our step down units. i guess i have to suck it all up if i really want to move there huh?

hemeonc girl · Jan 27, 2009

I'm also in LA moving back to NYC soon. My friend work in the Neuro ICU at Colombia Presbyterian and she only get 1-2 patients. She worked in the SICU also and it ratio was the same there.

dmaster · Jan 27, 2009

hi there! thanks for the info. where in LA do you work if you dont mind me asking. yeah, i was thinking of applying at NYP colombia, thats a good thing to hear. when are you planning to move back?

hemeonc girl · Jan 27, 2009

I work at UCLA Mattel Children's and I am planning on moving back Aug/Sept.

bruinlaura · Jan 28, 2009

We usually have 2 unless the patient is very critical. It is uncommon to be tripled in the ICU I work in but it does happen on occasion when staffing is poor. Usually a triple goes to a float or traveler. If not we have a list with our last time being tripled and whoever has gone the longest without one gets it. So even if there are triples you won't be the one getting them every time. Also triples are chronics and pt's awaiting stepdown beds. I have never heard of someone getting 4. At least in an adult ICU.

RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2009

I am in upstate NY--Rochester.... varies by hospital here. The one hospital I worked in on a Medical/Respiratory unit and had 5 patients. Occasionally 4 on days, always 5 on eves and 12 on nights. But I didn't work nights. I can't even imagine having more then 5 and would NEVER work on a unit with more. Maybe some units are not as busy?? I know my manager was always trying to get our unit changed to a step-down to make it so we would have no more then 4.

(We were a 24 bed unit with 4 of the beds vent ready--could have none for 2 months then have all 4 filled for 6 months, they were heavier)

I could never go back especially with the high ratios I see here!!! Yikes!!!