Number of patients you care for?

[winter_green]

Being an RN in CA, we are fortunate we have nurse-patient ratios. I wonder how other RNs in other states handle their patient load, and what number patients they have to care for? Any one care to share what unit you work for and the average number of patients you are assigned to care for a shift??

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

I work in a neuro ICU. We are usually 1:2, but if really sick then we are 1:1. Rarely we have been 1:3.

[vanburbian]

ER- ratio is 4:1 days and nights.

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

1:6 on my ortho/neuro/trauma floor. PCT ratio is ~1:12.

Wish they would lower the PCT ratio because none of my patients can walk on their own and I spend so much time helping them do so (don't mind, it's just so time consuming).

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I work at a rehabilitation hospital and usually have between 7 and 11 patients with one CNA. Once in a blue moon I'll have 6 patients. Occasionally I'll have 12 or 13 patients.

[Brea LPN]

i work ltc with 36 patients on 3-11.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Up to 8. As low as 4. Either way it sucks.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

Step-down 1:4-5 on nights (VERY rarely 6, and I b*$%h about it the whole time).

Float to ICU 1:2, very rarely 1:3 if they are all floor holds. This hasn't happened lately -I think they don't want 1:3 to become the norm if they have non-ICU patients...

[Aurora77]

I do post-op/med surg nights. I have between 5-7 pts. Our charges are pretty good about watching acuity level and don't stick us with 7 needy pts. Officially, though, I think my hospital just goes off of numbers for staffing, not acuity.

[grantz]

When I was assigned to the ward I care 11:1 but I chose OR so I can't really determine the ration because it not constant on how many patient will undergo surgery in that particular day :)

[RottieGrlLPN]

I work LTC 3-11 LPN, 1:30

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

SNF 1:25-30.

Nightmare!

[RottieGrlLPN]

SNF 1:25-30.

Nightmare!

I could not agree more