Staffing question

[broncopooh]

I work in a small rural hospital where we have approx 50 deliveries a month. Ocassionally we have no patients. My question is about staffing when there are no patients as it has become a big debate in our department.

Some nurses don't mind sitting in the department alone, with an on call nurse anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes away. Other nurses think it's a big liability and if an emergency should walk in and you are the only one, it could jeopardize your nursing license.

I don't have a problem with being the only nurse on staff, because there is always a nursing supervisor on duty to call until your second RN arrives. We also have an in house ER physician who could also help.

What do other hospitals do in this situation?

[USA987, MSN, RN, NP]

200 deliveries per month..

We must have 3 L&D nurses & 2 nursery nurses in house at all times.

[imenid37]

About 50, sometimes as many as 75 deliveries/month. ALWAYS at least 2 nurses (RN'S) even if no patients. We have 2 LPN's. IF we are down to bare bones, it is 2 RN's. Our LPN's are super. It is just if a L/D pt. in trouble breezes in what they are allowed to do is limited, so we go w/ RN's. Other staff are not given off if the census is 0, they are kept available on call and can stay home if they wish (unles we are pulled to M/S, CCU,Peds or ER to help). :)