Normal Pt Ratios - ack!

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HELP!

So, I am a new grad - passed the NCLEX and just had my first job interview at a hospital I thought I really wanted to work at - well, I think I still do but - It is only 1 block from my house and has a great reputation - BUT - the recruiter today told me that the nurse-pt. ratio on the floor (it's med-surg) is 1:8, or even 1:9!!! Is that even legal? And even if it's legal, is it safe? In all of nursing school, I have never seen a nurse with that many patients - how is this possible? I am VERY nervous about working in a hospital setting, but I really want to do this and I thought this would be a great place to work -

Should I not take this job? (am I crazy to even consider it?)

HELP!

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Specializes in NICU.

Did you voice these concerns with the nurse recruiter? If not, then I would call and ask her all these things you just posted.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Progressive Care, Tele.
HELP!

So, I am a new grad - passed the NCLEX and just had my first job interview at a hospital I thought I really wanted to work at - well, I think I still do but - It is only 1 block from my house and has a great reputation - BUT - the recruiter today told me that the nurse-pt. ratio on the floor (it's med-surg) is 1:8, or even 1:9!!! Is that even legal? And even if it's legal, is it safe? In all of nursing school, I have never seen a nurse with that many patients - how is this possible? I am VERY nervous about working in a hospital setting, but I really want to do this and I thought this would be a great place to work -

Should I not take this job? (am I crazy to even consider it?)

HELP!

I would definitely tell you to keep looking. 8-9 patients/shift, ESPECIALLY if its on days, is crazy. I just started a job in August on a Surgical unit and our ratio is 5-6. I'm up to about 5 on my own now and I still feel overwhelmed. I can't imagine having 8-9...overwhelming, stressful, and unsafe. I would definitely look elsewhere. There is so much more opportunity out there and if you have to go to another hospital and look, I certainly would! Driving further out and having less patients should be worth it I hope i helped!

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Specializes in Geriatric, Medical/Surgical.

I work nights on an acute geriatric unit, and our ration is usually 1:8. My last shift, however, we were 1:5 (yay! someone made a mistake!). I would much rather have 8 patients at the beginning of my shift, and not take admissions, than have 6 patients and have to take 2 admissions....it's easier to plan when there is less of a chance of me getting someone new!

Is this normal, I don't know, but it is what we do.

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I had to write in to this.

I am on a Surgical floor - I have 7, 8, or 9 patients at night. I graduated in May and had a 5 week orientation on days and 2 week orientation on nights and now I am on my own.

While it may be the graveyard shift, there is still so much to be done at night. Like or not, the administrators don't care that patient care ratio is the reason that most nurses leave the profession.

I am a new grad and have already given my two weeks notice.

I cry when I go to work, I cry when I am at work and I hate the drive home because I don't feel good about the work I did.

I hate the admissions when I have 7 patients because that's just a monkey wrench in the whole night.

Having to call a doctor at 2 in the AM is something I hate to do and when I have another nurse who is giving me poor advice, it makes me look like an incompetent nurse.

I don't know what kind of nursing I want to do but I know Med-surg is not it anymore. I want to be done with this job and not ever go back as of yesterday. I hate every minute of the day when I am there because I know that when I have that many patients there is a terrible chance that I will make a mistake. I am nervous, lost 12 pounds in 8 weeks and people tell me all the time that I look sick/sad.

I want to quit tonight and never go back. I don't know why I won't. But the thought of having to go is so awful - and the thought of leaving my co-workers in a lerch makes me feel worse.

My nurse manager and nurse recruiter have no sympathy and so this nurse may never return to a hospital setting.

I can't wait to be done with this job. My husband wants me to just quit, he justs feels so badly for me that I am so unhappy. He wants the person who used to be excited about friends, life, music and our family.

I never want to feel like this again about a job

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.

Oh NYNurse, you and I could be twins. I am feeling your same pain right now. As a matter of fact I saw your other post from https://allnurses.com/forums/f224/new-med-surg-nurse-255329.html

I am in the similar boat. At least the hating my job and crying all the time. I'm glad you have your hubby supporting you. I am not so fortunate. Please know you are not alone.

Any idea where you will go ?

Chloe

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{{{NYNurse}}}

{{{Chloe}}} Chloe, I didn't know things were going badly for you. I'm sorry.

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.

That's really sweet Susquatch. Thanks. Sometimes a new grad just really needs to hear that. And the hug too!!

I sent an email to my nurse mgr late last nite. Haven't slept a wink. Gotta hit the shower.

ugh...Wish me luck. I need all the support I can get!!

Sad Chloe :>(

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My heart bleeds for both of you because I have been there and done that with staffing ratios. I want to say that it gets better, but there will always be times when you feel overwhelmed...I know, I am 5 years out and I still feel overwhelmed at times....

You get more experience and so you know what to expect more. You will still encounter things that will be a challenge. Hang in there. The first year is hard until you are in the "real world" for a while.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

That amount of patients seems to be the average in the 'real world'. It is very frightening. I am an LPN, working in a hospital clinic. Med-surg for us usually entails medicating anywhere from 7-15 patients a day, but that is our primary responsibility. I can only imagine having that many and doing all that the RNs have to do...it is insane!

Nursing homes have LPNs on units alone with having to medicate as many as 40-60 patients, including dressings, paperwork and dealing with emergencies. Witnessing this as an aide, and hearing this as an LPN lets me know to avoid the nursing homes like the plague.

Basically, I think that we are all being dogged out by the ridiculous demands of nurses all around. Makes me wonder if I did the right thing many times a day.

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Reading your post is scary for me- I am just getting started in the nursing field. I think that regardless of what you do there are pluses and minuses. Being a nurse isn't easy but helping people is a wonderful way to earn a living. Nurses have so may opportunities- my son's soccer coach is an RN and does Case Management. She makes $35 an hour and works when she wants to. I know that I will start out doing bedside nursing but that is just the tip of the iceburg. I pray that you will find another job soon and 'get your groove back.' I know what it is like to be unhappy at a job and it does stick with you. Take care.

Aniza

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I had to write in to this.

I am on a Surgical floor - I have 7, 8, or 9 patients at night. I graduated in May and had a 5 week orientation on days and 2 week orientation on nights and now I am on my own.

While it may be the graveyard shift, there is still so much to be done at night. Like or not, the administrators don't care that patient care ratio is the reason that most nurses leave the profession.

I am a new grad and have already given my two weeks notice.

I cry when I go to work, I cry when I am at work and I hate the drive home because I don't feel good about the work I did.

I hate the admissions when I have 7 patients because that's just a monkey wrench in the whole night.

Having to call a doctor at 2 in the AM is something I hate to do and when I have another nurse who is giving me poor advice, it makes me look like an incompetent nurse.

I don't know what kind of nursing I want to do but I know Med-surg is not it anymore. I want to be done with this job and not ever go back as of yesterday. I hate every minute of the day when I am there because I know that when I have that many patients there is a terrible chance that I will make a mistake. I am nervous, lost 12 pounds in 8 weeks and people tell me all the time that I look sick/sad.

I want to quit tonight and never go back. I don't know why I won't. But the thought of having to go is so awful - and the thought of leaving my co-workers in a lerch makes me feel worse.

My nurse manager and nurse recruiter have no sympathy and so this nurse may never return to a hospital setting.

I can't wait to be done with this job. My husband wants me to just quit, he justs feels so badly for me that I am so unhappy. He wants the person who used to be excited about friends, life, music and our family.

I never want to feel like this again about a job

M

My heart goes out to you ....hugs...hugs...hugs

As hard as it seems it will get much better you made it through clinicals, you've passed boards. Now it is time to dig deep within yourself and draw upon all your internal resources, everything you need reside within you. Believe, Stand Tall and Proud NYNurse07, RN

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