CNA Resident ratio

furturenurse · Jun 3, 2007

I'm a new CNA as well and I'm currently working at private job as a home health. I'm scare of going to a Nursing Home because of this reason. I applied for a agency " Brightstar Health" and they hired me. I will start next week but they want to put me in a nursing home to gain more experience. This would be a good question to ask because I'm not sure what to expect..

sunnydaydream · Jun 3, 2007

I am a newer CNA. I have only worked at one location and I'm looking for a better job. I think that there are too many residents per CNA, but I have no other experience to compare.
We have 60 residents on our floor
days 5-7 CNAs 8-12 reidents each
evenings 4-6 CNAs 10-15 each
nights 3-4 CNAS 15-20each
Is this normal? What is an accaptable CNA resident ratio?

The place I work there are about 58 residents vary in degree of assistance, but most are totals.

CNA totals for each shift unless someone calls in (and usually someone does)... there are always two nurses (most of the time though they are doing their thing and are unable to assist CNAs unless it's an emergency situation or they do have free time (which usually they don't))

Days: 5

Evenings:4

Nights:2

I'm not sure of the level of care your residents need, but it sounds better than some places that I have worked. (I have nine years experience as a CNA and have worked four different places.)

The longer you work as a CNA the more you learn how to deal with the high ratios, is it right or safe? No, but most places staff the minimum and let you deal. It is possible to still give great care though! Good luck!!

tryin4newlife · Jun 4, 2007

I understand your concerns and feel your pain. I am a CNA and I am finishing nursing school as well. It seems as if it is the same story every place you go....give everyone the maximum patient load. The longer you do your job however the better you will be able to handle the number of patients. I work in acute care on a med/surg floor and we typically have 10 - 15 patients depending on the number of patients on the floor. Having said that - number of patients is not all there is to consider. The level of care needed for each patient is a huge consideration. Some days I can have 15 patients and actually have time to grab a quick drink or two - or even better yet - use the restroom in the course of a work day!!!(WOW) Other times I can have 9 patients and barely have time to grab a 15 minute lunch. Keep your chin up and hang in there. Organization is key, and the longer you work the better things get;)

ann945n, RN · Jun 4, 2007

Where i used to work as a CNA we had 4-5 residents all who were low care. In our facility you had to be able to get OOB with one person assist and be a willing particpant in your care. It was a great job, they are out there!

kstec, LPN · Jun 4, 2007

The nursing home that I work as LPN has resident ratio that is way to high. A mass majority of the residents are total assists and the CNA's have 10-15 residents. I think it's terrible and have voiced it several times with anyone that will listen, but nothing changes. I try my best to help whenever I can, but then I usually get behind. The facility I work at has to have all residents up and to the dining room with some showers before 7:45am. I don't know how they do it. I worked as a CNA years ago and I remember only having 8 residents (total care) and that seemed like alot and I didn't have to have them all up by breakfast either. All I can say is try not to settle for just anything, fight for the proper care of your residents. If you feel that after you've been doing it for a while and it's not getting easier and other are also complaining, go to your boss and attempt to get changes. Also if you see nurses sitting around (on occassion some at my place do, and arent' working) ask them to help, because those residents are their residents too.