Hello, I was wondering what were the staffing ratios in other hospitals, including ancillary staff. I work in a 16 bed ICU/CCU as a RN, for the last four years. The hsopital, previously a not for profit, was recently bought out by a for profit hospital chain. They have cut our PSA/CNA totally out from 3-11 and 11-7. I work 7p-7a. We get a unit secretary if our census is at 5. I would as well as everyone else in the unit rather have a PSA from 3-11, than a unit secretary from 11-7. The unit manager seems to totally ignore this fact. Ratio previously was 2:1. Now, at 3-5 pts, we get 2 RN's, 6-7 pts, 3 RN's, 8-9 pts, 4 RN's, etc. Last night we started out with 8, discharged one to the floor, and admitted 2. We started out with 3 RN's and they called in 1, for a total of 4. The one they called in is 76 years old, which I, being charge had to wind up babysitting along with her and my patients. {retirement age is a whole other thread}. By 0430, I was in tears. Everyone is looking for another job. One nurse left her resignation under the managers door. I was just wondering, have I been living in a fantasy world or is this reality. I am seriously contemplating going back to school. Thanks for input.
