Nurse - Patient ratio?

[Swellz]

I work on an oncology floor as an extern and fortunately for me, some positions will be opening up and the higher-ups have expressed interest. I'm just curious what kind of patient ratio is typical for an oncology floor? I would say our nurses usually have 4 patients on dayshift. I'm in the Philadelphia area, if it matters; I've been looking at the med-surg forum for patient ratio information and it seems like 4 is a small assignment in some areas.

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

4 definitely seems small to me. My ED has a regular ration of 1 nurse to 3-4 patients. Sometimes 5 if there is a lot of hallway patients. In the med surg units upstairs the RN will take care of 4-5 patients at a time and if she has an LPN with her she will take care of 7-8. On PCU, these patients are 3-4 per nurse and ICU is usually 2 per nurse.

Never been on an oncology floor but i think 4 is totally doable.

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

We had a hard max of 4 patients. It may not seem like much, but if you're giving blood, chemo, antibiotics and dealing with a patient who is nadiring, four can seem like WAY too much.

[salvadordolly]

four is about right on day shift. it will keep you busy, don't worry.

[JFatsRN]

On my heme/onc/but floor, we are 3-4:1 for day shift...usually 3. And nights we are 5-6:1. If some has an acute problem, then all nurse hands on deck with some amazing teamwork!

[grandpaj]

Our ratio after recent staffing changes (need more pts to qualify for the same number of nurses now), is 6-7:1 on nights. On days I think they have 3-4:1 usually.

[bastidias]

We do sit around 4, maybe up to five if you are covering some general med surge overflow. You'll find that there is a ton to keep track of, especially once you can give chemo. +1 for JFatsRN on teamwork. With a good team, its assignments are much more fluid because everyone is helping out.

[ClassyChristina]

6 on nights with 1 tech(if we are lucky!) for 28 beds. So practically total pt care for six.