A new employee said that her previous job paid a lot more, but they had horrible nurse-to-patient ratio. Other coworkers who worked there, or know of people who have, said the same thing. This is at a hospital not long term facility. The RNs can have up 8 to 9 on med-surg floor at $12hr more . The CNAs can have up 18+ on a med-surg floor at $5hr more.
So what would you do? Would you pick the better pay and high ratio, or the lesser pay and low ratio?
Better ratios. As a new grad I knew right away I didn't mind taking the lowest pay in the area. My only compliant is that the organization I work for has been continuing to require nurses to flex up on ratios.
Admin pretty much says screw whatever your unit policy is. They are sick of being yelled at Monday mornings if the ED has to board for any reason. It might be more like 6-7 patients, but the organization next door from what I heard is pushing 7-9 on nights. I can see the writing on the wall so I'm trying to make my exit from bedside before I get too use to the money/schedule.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Better ratios, hands-down. I can always make money but can't get my license back so easily. It won't help me sleep at night if a patient rendered crummy care while assigned to me. Understaffing leads to many problems/errors that may result in harming patients. I am only one person. I would rather be assured I am giving decent care than make more money in the long run.
TippyTappyMeow, MSN
39 Posts
Better ratios. As a new grad I knew right away I didn't mind taking the lowest pay in the area. My only compliant is that the organization I work for has been continuing to require nurses to flex up on ratios.
Admin pretty much says screw whatever your unit policy is. They are sick of being yelled at Monday mornings if the ED has to board for any reason. It might be more like 6-7 patients, but the organization next door from what I heard is pushing 7-9 on nights. I can see the writing on the wall so I'm trying to make my exit from bedside before I get too use to the money/schedule.