What is the nurse-patient ratio where you work?

[kaliRN]

So I recently learned on allnurses that California is the only state that has mandated nurse-patient ratios. I was honestly shocked and found it educational how hard fought a battle that was and how many other states are trying to pass similar laws. But it sparked my curiosity as to the average nurse-patient ratios in other states? What are the ranges of patients an RN sees on the unit/floor?

In California the ratios are as follows:

ICU, CCU, NICU/PICU, PACU, L&D, and ER patients requiring "intensive care:" 2:1

Step-down units: 3:1

Telemetry, Pediatrics, ER, Antepartum/Postpartum: 4:1

Med-Surg: 5:1

Psych: 6:1

*The only exception is a local or state declared emergency.

I became an RN after this law was in place for some time, so I really would be interested in the experience of others.

[Godivaa]

Med/surg telemetry. 5-6 patients to 1 nurse.

[LilRedRN1973]

I work in the prison infirmary and our staffing is two RN's, an LPN in the pill room and a CNA. We usually have around 40 inmates but I've seen it at 35 and as high as 57. Most are low acuity, some are simply here because they get dialysis and can't be out on the yard. We have a few every now and then that require more work, such as our current paraplegic and quadraplegic. It's actually a pretty low stress job as long as everyone shows up for work (we have issues with sick calls; it's not just nursing but through the prison as a whole).

[Newbody]

Paterson, NJ: I work on a neuro-tele medsurg/step down unit during the night shift. At night, the average ratio is 6:1 + 1 admission, so 7 by the morning. We recently lost two RNs, so now the ratio is 7:1 + 1 admission. These patients are generally immobile, requiring complete care and a mass of charting (shift assessments, rounding every other hour, a neuro check every 2-4 hours, as well as free text nursing notes). All too frequently, we also have drug addicts / alcoholics on our unit for withdrawal, because of "seizures." We also get scolded if we're not out on time, despite having an over abundance of work to do.

It feels extremely unsafe to be dealing with patients whom require such intensive care, and often I am unable to provide the care I feel they deserve because of the high patient:nurse ratio. I'll be looking for a new job soon. -_-

[Farawyn]

750 ish to 1

School Nurse. :)

And

1:1

Home care

[Nonyvole, BSN, RN]

Depends on the time of day. Can be as low as 1:1 and as high as 15:1, but that's when we're calling for additional nurses/techs. I try to keep it at 5:1 or lower.

[CharmantUn]

I went to nursing school in CA, but before I graduated my husband took a job on the East Coast. I've seen it both ways. In the community hospital in the SF Bay Area I trained at it was 4:1 for the tele floor, and only 1 CNA to cover 30+ patients. Where I work in Virginia, it's 5:1 in an Intermediate Care unit, with one tech covering 8-14 patients. It definitely feels unsafe when I'm running high risk drips (Cardizem, Heparin), pushing a lot of IV pain meds, etc....but it is sooo nice being able to rely on the techs for all the lab draws and assistance in turning/cleaning patients.

[DarkEyed]

In my CICU..it's 2:1

[sugarwahine10]

I'm in Iowa and work on a telemetry floor where days it is 4-5:1. Evenings until 11pm it is 5:1. 11pm-7am it is 6:1, but can always be more and usually is because of being short-staffed due to high turnover or how the manager did the schedule and short-staffed us. I think the matrix should be 4:1 days until 11pm and then 11pm-7am only 5:1, I have suggested that at meetings but have been told this hospital is in keeping with the national average of nurse to patient ratios (basically that they probably don't care and won't budget more to keep nurses happy and possibly lessen the turnover rate--it makes sense to not have the budget for that, yet being more cost effective to keep training new employees). I think there should be more patient care techs to lessen their patient load too, but that is a whole other story.

[Angelicamarie]

I'm in South Dakota and work in oncology. My ratio is 4 patients to 1 nurse during the day and 5/6 to 1 at night. It is very manageable usually. When I float down to med-surg it is 6 to 1 during the day and I don't like it one bit, haha.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

In my ER it's 1:3-4 in the main ER and 1:4-6 in the fast track area (usually 1:4).

On my medsurg/oncology floor, it's 1:4-5 days and 1:4-6 nights.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

Regulations determine minimum ratios in my state.

Any violation, even during breaks, is illegal.

https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/I8612C410941F11E29091E6B951DDF6CE?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=%28sc.Default%29

[wanttonurse7]

i:5 california... not sure how i end up with 2 additional (7) when an LVN is on the floor. i have no aids/assistance/whatever you want to call it. i do EVERYTHING myself...