Ad for ER and ICU RNs

[Jolie, BSN]

I recently read an ad in a local publication seeking ER and ICU nurses. The ad emphasized the favorable nurse:patient ratio in these units, which was 1:4. Now, I am not an ER or ICU nurse, but this seemed outrageous to me! How can that possibly be safe, let alone something a hospital would brag about in order to recruit staff? Am I out of touch or are these ratios out of line for these specialty areas?

[Y2KRN]

Hello Jolie,

I am an ER nurse and I would LOVE to have a 4:1 ratio. The place where I work recently had a big meeting ( 90%) turn out rate because our ratio's are soo high. Sometimes if someone goes to lunch we may be responsible for up to 10 patients, no joke you do what you can and tell management everyday how unsafe you feel this current enviroment is. I hope the meeting we just had gives us some results. If not I will be forced to go else where. Which means at least a 45 minute commute for me!

Y2KRN

[l.rae]

The place l work boasts a 1:4 ratio, HOWEVER, they are using more techs in place of nurses which means nurses have to do their drugs, discharges and admits, many nights we are short transport and and a NA so we are doing everything else too......there is always a catch.........LR

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

That seems high for an ICU. Places I've worked have maxed at 3. Even the tele units I've worked maxed at 5. am I just lucky?

[ERNurse752, RN]

4:1 is high for an ICU...in an ER, it depends on what type of pts you're caring for. It would be nice for med-surg pts.

4:1 in shock rooms isn't safe. 4:1 in a monitored area is what we have, which is sometimes OK, but can get pretty hairy sometimes.

A typical assignment in my ER, on nights, is anywhere from 5-10:1 for med surg, 4:1 monitored, and 6:1 for the three shock rooms/three monitored rooms assignment...doesn't make sense, I know.

[MPHkatie]

I'll take 4:1 in an ED any day. In our ER, I often carry 7 monitored patients (and I hope our LPN who sits at the monitor is actually watching it...)

In the ICU's I worked in a while back, I was alwasys 2:1 4 to one would have had me quit. I think they meant the ER ratio... but I suppose if it is a small hospital with low acuity ICU patients that ratio would be alright- I worked at a community hospital in the ED and we admitted lots of what I now consider med-surg pts to the unit, but just one pt on the vent. and that 4 to one ratio would be absurd.

[catlady, BSN, RN]

4:1 either isn't an ICU or it's the ICU from hell.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

4:1 is our med surg ratio

2:1 in ICU

1:1 for vented or multi lines/unstable

Does not sound like a ratio to boast about IMHO