what is your nurse to patient ratio?

[paphgrl]

In our ED we generally have a 4 to 1 ratio (sometimes 5-1) We have few techs or CNA's.

How do you handle your four patients when one is has a hgb of 6 and is agitated and trying to get out of bed, one is in SVT, one has a blood sugar of 40 and the mother of the 14 year old pregnant girl is demanding more pain medication because she is nauseated.

Seriously, what do you do in this situation?

[medic2bsn]

You didn't make the wrong career move, you might be at the wrong hospital though. That doesn't sound safe and I would be looking around to get the heck out OR invite one of the heel clackers down to spend a day in your ER and observe

A position came open in the OR about a month ago. I applied, got interviewed, was offered the position and accepted it, RN Circulator. All in the same day. I started last week and so far it's great. Thanks....Bill

[Jennifer, RN]

Our ratio is 4-6:1. Fast track is 11:1-2. On day shift, we have 1 tech/lpn per nurse if possible, as least 1 tech/lpn for every 2 nurses. On nights they are lucky to have 2 tech period. We have a 42 bed level 2 ed with 11 fast track beds (which close at midnight). When we get a really sick pt or trauma pt, we all work together pretty well.

If I were to EVER be assigned 12 pts at one time, that would be my last shift. I would like to keep my nursing license.

[MA Nurse]

In our ED we generally have a 4 to 1 ratio (sometimes 5-1) We have few techs or CNA's.

How do you handle your four patients when one is has a hgb of 6 and is agitated and trying to get out of bed, one is in SVT, one has a blood sugar of 40 and the mother of the 14 year old pregnant girl is demanding more pain medication because she is nauseated.

Seriously, what do you do in this situation?

Prioritize, somehow. Or go to a NICU where you will have 1, 2 or maybe 3 babies, on average...but you can still be very busy.

[nursejennie76]

We have 4:1 in the high acuity, and 6:1 in fast track. We have one tech in the back , and sometimes a paramedic. but if it involves urine, a BM, or anything else they are not anywhere to found most of the time. Our techs and medics only want to do EKG's, and draw blood. They need to be unlicensed personnel on a regular nursing floor for a day and see who has to clean up the gross stuff there, they have it made. I don't care to do these not so fun things but a little help with a 300 pound guy with diarrhea from head to toe would be nice every now and then.

[RN and Mommy]

A RN and a CNA work together with one group of patients. Days has 5-7 (usually start with 6, then get a surgical or an admission into the shift) per team and nights 6-10 (rarely 10, usually 8)