Too heavy a load

[rondafan]

I am an RN that has worked a long term care facility for the majority of my career & am used to having no more than 5 pts. Most of the time on the vent or very ill. I recently changed to a 32 bed facility, 4 bed ICU. There are times when we are short handed & 1 RN takes all 32 pts with a team of 2 LVN's & 3 CNA's.

I don't feel as though I can adequately take care of this many pt's. All the other RN's say "you can do it you just stay later & chart as best as you can" etc..... I tell them that my license WILL NOT be jeopardized like this & I'll have to go home or they will have to get me some more help. I think some where I would be covered in the Nurse Practice Act for doing this. Am I right? As long as I don't take report I can't be charged with abandonment so what's the next step. I don't want to look like I'm trying to buck this small town system of doing things but the larger hospital I came from this would be unheard of. Please tell me any options that would help before this happens. Any help is appreciated.

[debbyed]

A few years ago I did some PRN work in a LTC facility in W.V. There was 33 residents (none needing extensive speciality care). Day shift had DON, RN, LPN and 4 CNA's. Evening shift had RN, LPN, 4 CNA's and Night shift had RN, 3 CNA's. This seemed to be the norm in the area and did not appear to be too much at that time. But as I said no speciality care, no vents etc.