RN1963:
We tried team nursing at our hosp.and it didn't work.1 RN to 12 pts just didn't work.For one thing,our PCA's aren't allowed to do any invasive procedures; pretty much limited to beds/baths and vs's.1 team (1RN,1LVN,1PCA) could have from 10 to 15 pts.and you're right.If you delegate something,such as vs's on someone getting blood,it often didn't get done because they were busy with so many other things,(just as we were).Of course the team leader is responsible legally if something goes wrong.
The work is constant,and charting on 15 pts just did not get done until the end of the shift,and I call that forced overtime!