Nurse Patient Ratios....

swgabeswk · Aug 17, 2007

Dear all,

You guys are awesome. I am a nursing student in California U.S. I understand that US has passed some laws to enhance patient nurse ratio. Currently in CA, depending on the unit, most med surg unit is 1 to 5, for ICU is 1 to 2 or sometimes 2 nurses to 1 patient. There are lots of documentation needs to be done in US for legal purpose. Solut to all who are taking of so many patients.

little_lost_bear · Oct 13, 2007

I work in a well known private hospital where there is suppost to be team nursing in place. On days shift you have 3 staff down one side with 16 patients while other hall has 12 patients for 2 staff... The problem with this is, not all work in a team. You have the workers and the ones watching the workers and adds to there already long list of things to do. There is nothing fair about this. On a night duty you could have as many as 28 patients for 2 staff members. Sometimes if lucky you might get a 3rd person which really helps.

We often work with heaps of agency staff,,,, Most are great, but a few do very little and brag about what they are earning compared to what we are earning.

We are often treated as replacable staff, We have lost heaps of nurses and they are not replacing them as they go. Sometimes we work short as they could not find anyone to come in.

Sometimes RNs and EEN/ENs are replaced wtih PCAs, than complain they when they have to do showers. But they can't do obs, paperwork, give out medications.

Staff keep leaving, staff left behind are frustrated, overworked, under paid, and ready to leave.

What would happen if all the nurses rang in sick?? Who than will care for the patients? I say everyone needs a mental health day.:heartbeat:banghead:

nyapa, RN · Oct 14, 2007

We are often treated as replacable staff, We have lost heaps of nurses and they are not replacing them as they go. Sometimes we work short as they could not find anyone to come in.
Sometimes RNs and EEN/ENs are replaced wtih PCAs, than complain they when they have to do showers. But they can't do obs, paperwork, give out medications.

Sounds like the hospital is running as cheaply as it can without regard for its nurses. I bet the patients give you hell as well. It also sounds like you yourself need to get out of there - the hospital has no loyalty to you, so why should you be loyal to them?