Is this staffing normal???

Definitely not safe! It's dangerous that you are the only RN on the unit. There should be at least one more RN and one more MHW.

Wow, you must feel justifiably unsafe. I work on a 24 bed acute care Behavioral Health unit. We do not care for anyone going in to DT's, they go medical. We staff 1 nurse (typically an RN) to 4-5 patients and we also have 2 PCT's, our unit is segmented into 2 sections, one for the more acutely psychotic or patients requiring more care and monitoring. I know we sometimes feel understaffed so I can only imagine how you must feel.

I currently work on a unit that can hold up to 16 patients, though the acuity is high your situation is still manageable. I feel that the idea of understaffed has been some what of a problem in the last few years. I just look at it as a cool opportunity to nurse it up.

I have worked the 11p-7a shift on a 15 bed locked psych unit for over 2 years now. On the adult unit, we have 1 RN (me) and 2 MHCs for the overnights. When I worked on the adolescent floor for my first year, we only had 1 RN (me) and 1 MHC. When the unit's quiet, the staffing is more than adequate. The problem comes when we have to call a code because a pt is out of control and tearing apart the unit...we only get to pull 1 staff member from each of the other floors ( = 4 more staff). It is a great way to throw yourself into being a team leader - you're the one calling the shots if you're the only nurse on. It can be EXTREMELY stressful at times, though. Especially if you're dealing with admissions as well as agitated patients or have anyone who requires 1:1 supervision at all times.