How many Pt do you take care of?

kadokin, ASN, RN · Nov 26, 2005

I work in an 18 bed combo MICU/SICU in N. Michigan - we get surgicals including open-hearts, lots of strokes, MVA's, trauma (other than MVA's), DKA - we are also a referral center for at least 4 other hospitals in area - we have 1-2 patients, depending on acuity - we always have at least 1 PCT (aide) and 1 PSA (they stock rooms and act as gofers) for the whole unit - also, 1, sometimes 2 unit clerks - this is day shift - nights have the same patient load but no PCT's until the unit has a certain number of patients - can't remember what it is - they also have a "float" gofer (runs all over the rest of the hospital) and 1 unit clerk
some complain but I have read some posts on some threads that make me think I work in Paradise (not the one in Michigan either! )

I think you work in Paradise, too. The people who make your staffing decisions must have dwelt in the real world of nursing at one point in their lives, I'm guessing.

ctunurse · Nov 27, 2005

I work on a cardiac telemetry unit in Indiana. I work night shift. Each night shift nurse can take up to 6 patients.

LadyLesile · Nov 27, 2005

I work in LTC most areas i have 23 Pt on one unit i could have 43 Pt 12 take meds per self

lwd338 · Nov 28, 2005

Tele/Stepdown
1 RN for 4-5 patients
RN/LPN team with 7 -9 patients

City Hospital Rhode Island

1 RN to 6 pts with an LPN who takes 4 of the 6 (meds, dressings + documentation) RN does IV meds for all 6 plus she has two for care. or 1 CNA who does all the care this is true on all units except the unit and the ED. On the eve shift the ratio is 1 RN to 8 pts with a CNA who does all the care (very rerley does an RN help with care What is up with these new nurses these days!!!!! ) no LPN on eves and 11-7 1 RN to 8-10 pts. with 2 aids or the whole unit (up to 19 pts) no acuity based staffing here.

Sean 91 · Nov 28, 2005

Why aren't nurses involved as much in pt care? Too many meds. Meds from 8 p to 4 a (primarily pain meds), then charting, then more meds before report. Young and older nurses, it is the same. However, one floor is trying a 1:4 ratio w/ only one aide, more like an ICU model, and nurses get more involved and say they like it--as long as the budget holds up.

kersti · Nov 29, 2005

I work on a surgical ICU with trauma and Neuro tossed in as well- two patients for 1 nurse on all shifts with no aides in any way shape or form. Sometimes it's completely doable, other times a 1 to 1 ration would be great.

anewnurse2005 · Dec 5, 2005

New grad, six months in. Usually have 8 pt, good nights 5-6 if census if census is low. I have had 9-10. I work neuro/ortho floor. It's very overwhelming at times when you have people calling out in severe pain, neuro checks q2 and lots of medications to pass amonst other things that can come about.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Dec 5, 2005

I work Med/Surg. Before going to critical access, we had 28-30 pts per 2 nurses and one CNA. This was 11-7 shift. Now we get 18-20 pts per 2 nurses, and either one or no CNA. We do get a nurse to help from the OB dept. if they do not have any patients and the OB nurse does not wish to be on-call for $2 hour.

2002MissRN · Dec 19, 2005

Pysch/Behavioral Health

Miss Hospital

7p-7a x 2 nocs

11p-7a x 2 nocs

10-18 pts with 2 techs

pkeyrn · Dec 21, 2005

My last job...long term care...worked 11p-7:30a...only nurse to 80 residents with a full med run starting at 5a...mathematically figured out at one point that in order to do meds in alloted time frame could spend less than 1 minute per resident. The mathematics finally convinced administration to put another nurse on so we each only had 40.

suebird3 · Dec 21, 2005

i currently work ltc on 3-11. have 60 patients, but not all get meds, whether at 5, 9, or the whole shift. it also depends on what "side" i work. one side has 4 gt's (2 hung feedings, and 2 boluses).

when i am working 11-7, i have the whoooole place, 120 patients, with 5 aides. only 3 or 4 meds, a few patches, but the accuchecks/insulins? heehee. thank heavens one insulin is given on 7-3.

suebird

kadokin, ASN, RN · Dec 22, 2005

My last job...long term care...worked 11p-7:30a...only nurse to 80 residents with a full med run starting at 5a...mathematically figured out at one point that in order to do meds in alloted time frame could spend less than 1 minute per resident. The mathematics finally convinced administration to put another nurse on so we each only had 40.

My! How generous of them! (Yes, I'm being sarcastic).