Nurse to Couplet Ratio?????

RNmomma · Oct 24, 2003

In california, the max ratio is 4 couplets to one RN, any shift.

fergus51 · Oct 24, 2003

I have worked as many as 5, but no more.

aimeeRN · Oct 24, 2003

thanks, rnmomma. is that a law to some degree? In texas, our manager wants us to take 4-5 couplets, but if we get more admits, the madness can go to who knows what? This is on night shift were we dont have a charge nurse out of staffing, no secretary, and sometimes, no tech. Its crazy

RNmomma · Oct 24, 2003

As of Jan. 1, it is law! Along with set ratios for every other unit.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 24, 2003

rarely more than 3 or 4. it becomes an issue of safety and poor care beyond this. i have heard some places where they take care of 6 or 7. this is madness and totally unfair to patients and nurses. glad it's not where i work.

aimeeRN · Oct 25, 2003

Keep them coming. I hope that things will change, but right now, our management is not changing a thing...

Dayray, RN · Oct 26, 2003

4 , maybe 5 in a pinch. I can provide quality care for 4 but anymore then that and it's just going threw the motions.

aimeeRN · Oct 30, 2003

Thanks to all who replied.

L&D_RN_OH · Oct 30, 2003

5 is the max. But usually, it's only 4.

FLOBRN · Nov 6, 2003

When I worked in Virginia in the late 80's we took between 4 and 7 couplets depending on staff/patient census.

Now in Florida, MB nurses officially take no more than 4-5. Last night they had 16 Moms, 6 babies, 4 RN's 2 Techs and a unit secretary then asked us on L&D for help doing their assessments. Oh well

Tiki_Torch · Nov 6, 2003

It been a few years, but we generally took 3-4 couplets allowing for each of us to have an admission. During the busiest of times we'd sometimes end up with 6 but that was rare and didn't last long because once the day shift came in a few couplets would be discharged home. I worked at night and we didn't have a secretary either. Our charge nurse took an almost equal load as all the other nurses and would often take the most critical mom on he floor. By the morning, we all generally had 4-5 couplets. Anything more than 5 is simply too much. I enjoyed 3-4 best because I felt I had enough time to give decent care and the shift passed without dragging along.