A question for those of you here: what is the absolute minimum staffing in your unit? Say, for example, you had only 1 or 2 patients in the unit. Would you have an RN and an aide? Two RNs? Is there ever a time you have only an RN (as in, that is THE only stuff member) in the unit? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nov 30, 2018 by Checkers08 6 Likes; 978 Visitors; 21 Posts I'm not involved in staffing in any way, but I wouldn't think it would be wise to only have one staff member present in case of a resuscitation event. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dec 3, 2018 by Okami_CCRN Okami_CCRN has 2 years experience and works as a Registered Nurse. 1 Like; 13,937 Visitors; 787 Posts If there are only 1-2 patients in the ICU we are required to have at least 2 RN's present at all times. If an RN has to go off the unit another nurse must be present for relief. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dec 4, 2018 by pseudonym87 pseudonym87 has 1 years experience. 3 Likes; 88 Visitors; 19 Posts Generally speaking 2 nurses. The only time it was acceptable as 1 nurse 1 aide is a pre-op unit that hadn't been opened yet. But that's a no brained, lol. In the event of a code, 2 RN's for sure at minimum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dec 4, 2018 by Seaofclouds, BSN, RN Seaofclouds is a BSN, RN and works as a RN. 32 Likes; 2,569 Visitors; 187 Posts We are required to have 2 nurses in our ICU at all times as well, even if there is only 1 patient. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dec 4, 2018 by PeakRN 71 Likes; 4,812 Visitors; 370 Posts We don't ever have few enough patients in our ICUs/NICUs/PICU to necessitate that low of staffing, but our general policy is that we must have at least two RNs on any unit at any given time. If for some reason a unit only has two RNs they cannot leave the floor unless there is another nurse there for relief. For critical care units that means that they wouldn't be able to go for rapids or codes, so I can't ever see us having less than three RNs on one of those units. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dec 5, 2018 by Ddestiny, BSN, RN Ddestiny has 6 years experience as a BSN, RN and works as a ICU RN. 13 Likes; 6,876 Visitors; 248 Posts We must have 3 ICU nurses assigned to the unit at all times because our charge nurse responds to codes, leaving 2 nurses in the unit while s/he's away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dec 9, 2018 by jennylee321 2 Likes; 4,708 Visitors; 409 Posts Even without codes to consider, how about nurses being able to take the breaks they are legally entitled to. So yes minimum of 2. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
