Published
acuity has a lot to do with what I consider too much for a pt load. I think that for safety sake only the sickest of your patients x the total number of pts =greatest possible load allowable. I think the most ever in a med surg setting should be no more than 6. Providing you have a tech or NA to assist. Your UAP unlicensed assistive personnel helps some.
Routinely I have 8 patients of my own that I have to do PO meds, dressings, treatments, beds, baths, etc. Then, I take care of all the IV fluids, IV meds, IV starts etc on all 16 patients on the floor. However, the other RN will help out, say, if I had to hang blood, or Mag that I had to watch the patient for a while with. Some days are ok and some are really bad.
asilmk
42 Posts
How many patients do med/surg nurses generally get at your hospitals on average? How many patients do you all consider to be safe?