Patient Load

[SUBQ]

Hey:

I work at a rehab hospital and usually have to take 8 patients as part of my load. When I worked med/surg I only had to take 6.

The day before I had to take 10. This really made me mad. I had several dressing changes to do as well as answer the call lights. To make a long story short, the quality of nsg. care that I was able to give was far below my personal acceptable standard. This pisses me off!!!

Anyone else experiencing the same thing?

PS: I have a great drug guide on ebay going for $5.00, I paid over $30.00 for it brand new. And it's still brand new.

Later,

SUBQ

336777602: NURSES DRUG GUIDE FROM SPRINGHOUSE

Current bid: $5.00

Auction ends on: May-28-00 23:07:10 PDT http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=336777602

[lita1857]

SUBQ...I don't know a darn thing about what would be an acceptable work load for your clinical area but I sure did love and appreciate your direct comment...VERY refreshing!

[Mijourney]

Hi,

Oh yes, those were the days. I recall serving as many as 14 medical-surgical patients on night shift. On day shift, I routinely served seven to eight patients. I even have had as many as four ICU patients at a time including ventilator dependent patients. I feel the impact of this from as far back as 13 or so years ago (my joints tell me). It probably explains why I don't even have a "mildly aching" desire to return to bedside nursing in the hospital setting. I feel this way despite the impending nursing shortage which should financially profit many a nurse.

[YADA-YADA]

You dont say if you are day, evenings or nights. Anyway used to work in rehab but on a vent floor: all had resp. issues several were on vents, and many were on precautions (MSRA, VRE). Days 5-7, evenings 7-8 and nocs up to 12.