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hoolahan, ASN, RN · Jan 23, 2002

I would really like to see home health nurses included in this!! How about max number of visits per day? Karen you and I have discussed this, but I have also heard from many HH nurses via my web site who are doing way more than the seven visit limit per day. And what is mandatory OT for HH nurses? Having to work on your weekend off if it's short?

(Karen, not picking on YOU, just kevtching in general.)

PS e-mail sent

night owl · Jan 23, 2002

Looks good for the LPN who wants to work in the hospital setting. It seems that they'll be hiring more and for those hospitals who weren't hiring them at all, will probably start now. What do you think Karen?

I wish they'd come up with a better staff ratio for LTC! Those poor old folk, when will they get a break??? Or should I say those poor nurses...

-jt · Jan 23, 2002

the California law only addresses acute care hospitals. It has no input on staffing for LTC or HH as far as I know.

Question: Did the law specify these ratios are for RNs to pts or is it just "nurse" to pt?

If its nurse to pt, then on a med-surg floor an LPN can have 6 pts & the RN can have her own 6 pts plus be responsible for the LPN's 6 pts too - for a total of 12????? I hope Im reading it wrong.

oramar · Jan 23, 2002

Thanks for posting this Karen, I knew you would pounce on this one. I saw this over at calnurse and then ran into the article I mentioned above. Could not help but think there was a connection.

CJM · Jan 23, 2002

Can anyone explain how nurse's aids or UAP fit end to the staffing ratios? Here in Ohio the rules for UAP staff is pretty much up to what the hospital wants it to be. I'am curious about this.

-jt · Jan 24, 2002

The ratios must still be finalized following

a public comment period.

The official minimum nurse-to-patient ratios set by the Department of Health Services. >

I just realized I misread all this. I mistakenly thought that they had finally come to agreements in the numbers and the law was being finally put into effect. In re-reading, I see that these numbers are just a proposal by the Gov & DOH and now even this will be held up with the "comment period". Of course that will be the opportunity for the hospital assoc to lobby against them. Good that the Gov finally came up with acceptable numbers to satisfy nurses but its probably going to be a long time still before the law is actually finalized, numbers set, and the thing actually put into effect. What a let down!

Teshiee · Feb 1, 2002

With ratios like that I may dabble in Med/surg afterall.

Furball · Feb 1, 2002

Originally posted by hoolahan
I would really like to see home health nurses included in this!! How about max number of visits per day? Karen you and I have discussed this, but I have also heard from many HH nurses via my web site who are doing way more than the seven visit limit per day. And what is mandatory OT for HH nurses? Having to work on your weekend off if it's short?

(Karen, not picking on YOU, just kevtching in general.)

PS e-mail sent

Agree enthusiastically here Hoolahan as a former HH nurse. Geesh...it used to take me an hour to reach my first visit (large rural county and everyone HAD to leave from the office rather than home) So 2 hours round trip and then say 1/2 hour -1 hour travel time between visits didnt leave a helluva lot of time in a 7 hour payday for, the visits, documentation, communication with docs, PT's, HHA's, APS and the scores of other supporting staff. Working on your laptop at home to catch up is mandatory OT but I ALWAYS put in for my time (many nurses didnt:( ) grrrrrr HH nurses are buried. Happy to be back in a hospital.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2002

I live in wonderfull Texas, I think Im going to download and take it to work with me. Ive been working ER as an assistant nurse manager for almost 15 years now. And I have recently gone back to plain staff nursing in the ER. I could use this.

Maybe even mail it to the Govenor, maybe even to Bush jr. even though I didnt vote for him, It looks good to me.

Howdy yall from deep in the heart of Texas

EEEHHHAAAAWWWWWWWWW

Thomas

mattsmom81 · Feb 9, 2002

Shame, shame Tom for not votin' for our deah Guvnah! Moving to California sounds pretty good right now with those great nurse patient ratios and the strong union representation out there. California nurses are a beacon for all of us..just gotta luv 'em!

-jt · Feb 12, 2002

I just read this article:

Nurses and Politics

http://www.examiner.com/warren_hinckle/default.jsp?story=n.hinckle.0129w

It sounds like some nurses are not in favor of the Gov's 1:6 proposals because these hospitals last year already agreed with their nurses 1:4 ratios. It seems the writer is saying that the Gov's proposal is not enough & his motives are questioned because its already been shown by some hospitals in that state that they can do better than the gov's proposed ratios.

The article doesnt mention if the Gov's proposal for a 1:6 med-surg ratio will cause those hospitals that already had a better staffing ratio to now want to change to the gov's higher ratio. But if the proposal goes thru, surely the 1:6 med surg ratio will still help nurses who now have 1:10 and worse.

Any thoughts from CA nurses as to why the Gov wouldnt just propose the same 1:4 ratios that some hospitals there already have in place?

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