What is your Nurse to Patient Ratio

Specialties Med-Surg

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TuTonka

239 Posts

I would like to see a report computwe generated that gives you the assessment of the shift goig off on each patient you are assisgned. The off going nurse could add in an area specifically for changes and updates, any calls to MD and new orders. The next entry in assessment ....if nothing changed could have a button so to speak that the nurse could hit and that assessment charted. The program could include a way to make changes in an instant so the next report would reflect that. Programing doe this would save alot of time, improve accuracy and make more to for nurses to be a the pts bedside.. If we are to update healthcare lets make it nore accurate and quicker charting of information and continuing care for each shift. Sorry if I am a little off the tract of the thread but I wanted to state my idea so that maybe IT people would put on their thinking caps in that realm. Thats for (listening) reading this posy.

TuTonka

doubleplay

50 Posts

We have a 5:1 ratio with no techs and no unit clerk.

NurseKayla

15 Posts

Are you kidding me 6:1 if you are lucky, 7:1 is our normal. No PCTs or CNAs.

twokidsmom,rn

198 Posts

I work nite shift we have 6-8pts some have high acuity they don't look at that. Day shift has 4-6 with 3ptca's and a unit clerk.

cobber

23 Posts

Specializes in Medical-oncology.

We use a nursing acuity index where patients are rated, from 1-5 on their accuity (a typical pt with few or no complications is a 3). On the day shift an RN can take 12 points, RN/LPN team 22, RN/NA team 16, and an RN/LPN/NA team 25. Teams can take a few more points on the night shift.

Ayrman

83 Posts

Officially 7:1 on nocs with an aid for every 11-18 (yes, they staff that tight) patients. Even the Charge may have 7:1, and I have seen 6:1 for 2 nurses with no aid or secretary. This is a CHS facility for anyone who cares.

Ayrman

JessieC777

18 Posts

Specializes in Surg/ortho.

I'm a CNA, but the nurses on eve/nights I work with have no more than 6. Plus CNA's and unit secretary (nights only one for the whole hospital). It's a Surg/Ortho floor.

angel_blue_rn

25 Posts

I work days and it is 7:1 with the occasional 8:1, with an aide usually paired up with the nurse. Nights are also 7:1 and 8:1. The 'powers that be' are willing to sacrifice care over money. When I was I hired almost a year ago, I was told that the ratio would be 5-6:1.

matt_07

3 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Uro-Nephro.

We have 30:2 staff.It's very difficult handle in this situation.

NurseJeanne

8 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Med/surg units 10:1 days and eves, 12:1 nights. On the respiratory unit (ventilator patients) where i often work, 4:1 days and eves, 5:1 on nights, but can be 6:1 on any shift if short staffed.

We have CNAs, usually similar ratio to nurses on Med/surg, 5:1 up to 8:1 on resp. unit. No secretary on nights, none on days or eves when they're off or call out.

Hectic to say the least. And they wonder why Press Ganey scores are poor....the staff is blamed.

mcknis

977 Posts

Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

I hate the fact that the acuity of nurse/pt is note weighed but numbers are always more important! I understand that mgt has it rough because they need to fit a square block into a round hole and try to get it as close as they can. Money has no grace when it comes to actual pts, but just FTE, number of actual pt days, etc. Just upsetting to see that we and our pts are hurt because we work for "for-profit" organizations and that fact will never change. You can say not-for-profit, but just look at the insurance bill or the hospital care bill. You'll quickly change your mind!

Specializes in PACU, Surgery, Acute Medicine.
We're an acute general medical floor... and typically, during the day our ratios are 3:1, nights 4:1.

I want to work where you do! Our *ICU* has a 3:1 ratio. I work on a primary nursing acute medicine floor, so we have no techs and, like you, have to be ready to care for whatever comes through the door. The recruiter told a bunch of us that the ratio was 4:1 on days, 5:1 on nights. After a month and a half, I see that it's clear most days are 5 patients and it's not unusual to have 6 (no tech, and some pretty serious acuity). Very frustrating! The tech stuff tends to be what can keep you in a room for an hour at a time. Nights are more often 6:1, but it would be really unusual for it to go higher than that, so that's a relief. I start on nights next week, hallelujah. If my joy is misplaced, all you night-shifters, please don't tell me, I'll find out soon enough. :wink2:

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