Numbers on patient ratios

U.S.A. California

Published

If anyone could tell me what the patient ratios for nurses working Med/Surg in CA are, that would be awesome.

My clinical instructor told me yesterday that they are over the top and like 1:8.

I thought California had strict staffing ratios? I was like more like 1:4 or 1:5

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

1:8???? No. Typically 1:4, but sometimes 1:5.

https://www.amsn.org/sites/default/files/documents/practice-resources/healthy-work-environment/resources/MSNJ_Tevington_20_05.pdf

See page 2.

Thanks. You're the bomb diggity.

So that link says 1:6 but you are telling me 1:4 for med/surg. How's that work?

Typically. Ultimately the variability is due to facility resources, education, and staffing. You won't see 1:6 often unless they're far from acutely ill . 1:4 patient staying at UCLA can be a 1:2 patient elsewhere. It's all gray area

My hospital is 4:1 for the most basic medsurg pts and 3:1 for intermediate medsurg pts. We do occasionally go to 5:1 if we are short staffed and that nurse has a pt who is getting discharged for sure so they don't keep 5 all day.

Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Thanks. You're the bomb diggity.

So that link says 1:6 but you are telling me 1:4 for med/surg. How's that work?

It said 1:6 for one year, then 1:5. 1:4 is more common, but occasionally you see 1:5 depending on acuity.

Quote: 1:6 in medical-surgical units (reduced to 1:5 after thefirst year) and behavioral units.

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