NICU/WBN staffing

[allstressedout1]

Just wanted a little outside input because it appears to always be a touchy issue. The hospital I work for is not where there are mandatory staffing ratios. Typically in actual NICU it is 1:3 for the most part. We do our own stocking, admission paperwork, phone and doorbell answering, visitation checks, special laundry, teaching, delivery attendance, lab draws including ABGs, and start our own IVs, etc. We also have unit cleaning chores and our education and emails online are expected done during work hours. If we get lunch it is on the unit and never 30 minutes. If our numbers get low, to have enough NICU staff in house we are pulled to well baby. In well baby a typical assignment is 6-8 babies with rotating admissions. The pulled NICU nurse in addition to her load and her place in admission rotation (which normally means attending the delivery too) is required to attend all NICU deliveries. (Any under 36weeks, or any term with risks such as meconium, decels, etc). Deliveries are attended,VS obtained, apgars assigned and all is charted upon return to nursery. Phone, doorbell, cleaning isoettes,equipment, is also expected. It is overwhelming. I don't feel it is safe, and I feel the families and babies are not getting the attention they need. In addition if a NICU admission comes up the nurse is to go immediately to NICU to admit, leaving her assignment sheet in WBN for the other nursery staff. She doesn't stay to finish charting, tie up loose ends, tell parents change of assignment, or give a true report. Physically, mentally and emotionally you feel drained when you leave and you feel stressed that something has not been done, and I personally feel I have let my patients down by giving scattered hit and miss care. The word is that it is manageable if I would just prioritize and use time wisely. Thoughts and feedback please. I love what I do but it is wearing me down.