Is this normal for a novice RN?

[Aneri J.]

I'm currently on my first job as a nurse (I underwent a ___-year hiatus after getting my RN license). It's been a long while since I last stepped in a healthcare facility as a staff not as a client!

I am assigned in a med-surg ward, and as in most hospitals here, the normal nurse-patient ratio is 1:15 (minimum). I really admire all the RNs in my area as they were able to work with a N-P ratio like that, and I hope I can adapt to that norm as well they did.

I was all hopes before I started this job, but a few weeks into it I feel inadequate, too slow, and burdensome. The senior RNs I am working with are so at ease with the job and they work so fast that I felt like a burden to them--in a 6-2 shift, they can finish all the AM due medications of all 15 patients before 09:00, while here I was struggling with the medications of 5 patients (there were times when I gave meds behind schedule). The senior RNs with 15 patients are done with everything and ready to go home by 14:30; here I am with 5 patients, finished all my work at around 16:00. I think the senior RNs have noticed my pace.

Everyday, a senior RN would be assigned to oversee my work. I kept on asking questions to the senior RN and I felt that by doing so I was hindering that RN's job.

Is it normal to have these feelings when starting on a nursing job?

[InvisibleDove]

"Normal" ratio of 1-15?

No no no. 1-7 should be the norm, not the exception.

[Surprised1, MSN, RN]

That's a high nurse to patient ratio!! How much orientation did you receive? What are you expected to do for each patient during your shift? I see that you're in the Philippines. Maybe you have a different nursing model than I'm used to...do you have different nurses performing different tasks? If not, then I cannot fathom how one nurse could perform all care for 15 med-surg patients! Mind you, I'm used to a ratio of 3 pts per nurse.

[RN403, BSN, RN]

1:15 seems excessive.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

1:15 seems excessive.

The OP is in the Philippines; OP also stated that was the "norm" for her area; but I will agree as well that is excessive, regardless of what area of the world a nurse is from.

Sounds like mandated ratios need to be global.

[Aneri J.]

That seems to be the normal N-P ratio here. Manpower issues.

When you started your nursing career, as novices did you feel inadequate, burdensome, or too slow? Will these ideas go away in the long run?

[Aneri J.]

That's a high nurse to patient ratio!! How much orientation did you receive? What are you expected to do for each patient during your shift? I see that you're in the Philippines. Maybe you have a different nursing model than I'm used to...do you have different nurses performing different tasks? If not, then I cannot fathom how one nurse could perform all care for 15 med-surg patients! Mind you, I'm used to a ratio of 3 pts per nurse.

It's been almost a month since I started. I'm currently handling 5-7 patients and, as mentioned, the norm here in our country/facility/ward is 1:15--I feel like all the senior RNs are getting impatient and would want to give me 15 patients already.

[jayjaybsnrn, MSN, APRN]

Thats like nursing home n-p ratio.

[macfar28]

OP,

I think all new nurses have moments - or even periods - where they feel inadequate and overwhelmed. Be kind to yourself! No one comes out of nursing school and hits the ground running without some bumps in the road. Keep working hard and you will get faster and more confident as you go. Also, always ask questions even if you feel you are bothering your senior nurses. Some of the most unsafe nurses are those who don't stop and ask. Best of luck.