Florida nurse/patient ratios in SNF

[Tina6240]

Hello all;

I am new to posting here but have frequently looked up topics of interest and

have always felt so much better after reading all the great posts, words of

advice and sympathy, and some really great funny stories.

A basic introduction: I am an LPN, licensed since '05, and have always worked in LTC. I love it.

Current job is on a secure unit with Alzheimer's/geri-psych patients. What

I DON'T love is the patient load. One nurse, 37 patients. I work 3-11 and

at least 5-6 of my patients aggressively sundown each afternoon. All but

about 6 take meds crushed...and ALL require slow approach and lots of TLC

to get them to take the meds at all. You all know the routine. Just to

do my all to keep the patients as safe as I can and to get the meds passed

means I am running all night, and still frequently have at least 3 incidents

to report because of the behavior issues. There has been talk in the past

about running 2 nurses on days and evenings, but it has never happened yet;

I doubt it ever will happen because of the additional cost.

What I would love to see happen is Florida Statutes be amended. Current

maximum nurse/patient ratio is 1:40. I strongly believe that in any skilled

nursing home a ratio of 1:30 is more realistic. Today I started trying

to research how to start a petition in order to change this. Anyone have

any experience or advice to share? I would appreciate it.