Getting Intimidated

Completely normal. Everywhere isn't he same you know. Some of the posts I've heard about 1 nurse and 50 patients is crazy. I have had 44 patients but only on nights and evenings. That was manageable. Remember you will have NA's for patient care and every patient doesn't get meds at every med pass

I have been a nurse for about 20 years now. And you will work short staffed many times. But, you also will find ways to work more effiecently with time. The only thing I am frightened of is hurting myself, because there isn't enough staff for lifting and turning assistance. This may sound cold, but I will leave a pt be, until I can get some help. If you hurt your back for instance, your facility will ask, did you get help? I would hate to say I turned a 350 lb person by myself because I couldn't get anyone to help me. I'm sorry, but I feel I am just as important as my patients. I used to not think that, and worked like a mule. Now, I still work hard, but not putting myself or others at risk. I would like to see me get written up for following safe practices. So, things aren't done at the crack of a whip, and may take another 15 or 20 min to get help, I didn't create the problem. And I certianly won't solve it by hurting myself.

It is scary, and that is normal. I just decided to take control of my destiny and work in the atmosphere that is most agreeable to me. Personally, I would never work somewhere that has a nurse patient ratio that is so high. I'd rather work in a clinic or doing homecare before I risk my sanity this way. I admire those that do, (envy them in fact), but I know that it is not for me. I have to live with myself and have to know my limits.