Nurse patient ratio

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 31, 2016

It can never exceed 6:1 thanks to state law.

On average, I have 4-5 patients.

Lapreea · Aug 14, 2018

Apparently I am probably going to get a job as a LPN working a ratio of 1 nurse to 24 dementia patients, am I in trouble? (I am a new grad) the DON acted like the ratio was not a bad thing, and that it was a really good ratio (I already knew it was higher than what I have ever seen)

By the way when I worked as a CNA we had 1 nurse for 16 mental patients and it did not seem all that bad, but the RN was available to help with phone calls if needed. (different facility/unrelated)

deza, MSN, NP · Aug 17, 2018

Lapreea, My first RN job was like that. We had 18-24 pts and the LVN did meds.

Where I work for RNs it's 6-8:1 usually. And for the techs they usually have 8 pt's on their rounding board. This is for inpatient psych where most pt's can do ADLs independently.

Lapreea · Aug 18, 2018

Lapreea, My first RN job was like that. We had 18-24 pts and the LVN did meds.
Where I work for RNs it's 6-8:1 usually. And for the techs they usually have 8 pt's on their rounding board. This is for inpatient psych where most pt's can do ADLs independently.

do you have any advice for me as a new graduate?

Lapreea · Aug 18, 2018

Lapreea, My first RN job was like that. We had 18-24 pts and the LVN did meds.
Where I work for RNs it's 6-8:1 usually. And for the techs they usually have 8 pt's on their rounding board. This is for inpatient psych where most pt's can do ADLs independently.

do you have any advice for me as a new graduate?

Mine is also LTC psych patients :)

SheriffLauren · Aug 19, 2018

at the va psych unit we have 3 team nurses our max patient census is 25, divide that between each of the 3 nurses. So I can have up to 8 patients if we are totally full. i think it's way too many, personally i cant function beyond 6. i think you cant give good care with 8 patients, its like "Hi are you alive, take your meds, bye." I really feel rushed when it have that many and that I dont get to spend the quality time with them that is needed. We don't have a law about patient loads which is stupid.