How rampant is understaffing?

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2006

Very common occurance. I routinely start my day with 8-10 patients on med/surg. I may have 3-4 discharges and get 2-3 new surgicals with a couple new admits thrown in. You definately learn how to prioritize, tending to the sickest first (anyone in distress). That prioritizing is constantly being readjusted throughout the day as patient conditions change. Ive had as many as 12 patients at the end of my day and yes was beating a path to the door by the end of the day.

Ive learned to take one thing at a time and you learn how to try to not let yourself get overwhelmed. After all, the patients arent going anywhere, they will be there when you get to them, and the clock always continues to run so eventually the end of shift does come.

vloho · Mar 21, 2006

Yes. It is a common occurrence. Only because "state" says,"this is all the staff that is required" at the time of inspection. Then in order to trim costs someone for whatever reason does not return, this person is not replaced. Yes. The level of care is affected, whether due to mistakes caused by lack of time or the critical nature of the patient.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Mar 21, 2006

I am a second semester nursing student in the Orvis School of Nursing at University of Reno, Nevada. I will be graduating this December with a BS in nursing. For our second semester theory class we have been asked to join a listserv and participate in discussions, as well as post a question and generate responses.
In my first clinical rotation I was given the opportunity to practice on the general medical and surgical floor, ICU, and OR. For the three weeks that I was on the medical floor, I believe all the nurses had 8 patients each. Not just 8 patients but 8 critically ill patients. When I arrived to the hospital one Thursday morning I met up with my reference nurse, who was already stressed out about her day. She told me the day before was so busy for her she didn't get a chance to take a break. Fortunately I was able to help with her assessments and charting, but despite the assistance, her workload was still unmanageable. This situation scares me as I begin to solidify my career in nursing. I feel that treating 8 patients is not only dangerous for the patients but also for the nurse. In an article titled "Understaffing Hurts Care" (2005), written by Mel Atkinson, in the Journal for RN's & Patient Advocacy, a survey revealed in the article that 77% of the respondents stated that they were aware of medical errors that occurred in practice as a result of understaffing. Also, 34% of the respondents stated they were aware of deaths as a result of nurses having to take on too many patients. I found these statistics to be alarming. My questions to all of you are:
1. Do you think the experience I had is a common occurrence?
2. Has your level of care ever been affected by understaffing?
I appreciate any comments, stories or thoughts you would like to share.

yes, it is common and very dangerous for the patients. it leads to nurse turnover and burnout, as well as increased mortalilty.

would a surgeon do 12 cases a day every day? i think not.

until nurses collectively put their foots down like they did in cali, not much will change.

a lot of new nurses have been lured into the field by mystical visions, promoted by j&j and others, and have NO clue what they're getting in to. i really hope this new generation of nurses, who expects good nursing practice, demand it.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2006

Common occurence but not acceptable or necessary. I work in a hospital where staffing is generally OK. In my area also, most hospitals set the limit at 6 or 7 medical patients. Less for tele or any special floor.

When you near graduation, you will go on interviews. This is the time to research your hospitals, find out what their nurse:pt ratio is and staffing situation. Then you can make an informed decision.

lindarn · Mar 21, 2006

I am a second semester nursing student in the Orvis School of Nursing at University of Reno, Nevada. I will be graduating this December with a BS in nursing. For our second semester theory class we have been asked to join a listserv and participate in discussions, as well as post a question and generate responses.

In my first clinical rotation I was given the opportunity to practice on the general medical and surgical floor, ICU, and OR. For the three weeks that I was on the medical floor, I believe all the nurses had 8 patients each. Not just 8 patients but 8 critically ill patients. When I arrived to the hospital one Thursday morning I met up with my reference nurse, who was already stressed out about her day. She told me the day before was so busy for her she didn't get a chance to take a break. Fortunately I was able to help with her assessments and charting, but despite the assistance, her workload was still unmanageable. This situation scares me as I begin to solidify my career in nursing. I feel that treating 8 patients is not only dangerous for the patients but also for the nurse. In an article titled "Understaffing Hurts Care" (2005), written by Mel Atkinson, in the Journal for RN's & Patient Advocacy, a survey revealed in the article that 77% of the respondents stated that they were aware of medical errors that occurred in practice as a result of understaffing. Also, 34% of the respondents stated they were aware of deaths as a result of nurses having to take on too many patients. I found these statistics to be alarming. My questions to all of you are:

1. Do you think the experience I had is a common occurrence?
2. Has your level of care ever been affected by understaffing?

I appreciate any comments, stories or thoughts you would like to share.

I hope that no one is surprised that Nevada has a severe nurhing shortage. My guess is that many new grads are leaving and going to California, because that is where I would be headed. The salaries are also pretty low in Nevada. The nurses are voting with there feet, and going elsewhere to work.

The poster below states working conditions in Seattle, WA. They are unionized there, and that is the differnce.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington