Nurse-Patient Ratio

evans_c1 · Jun 12, 2005

Hello, all!
I'm a new grad and just got hired last Friday...I was interviewed at ICU and Med-Surg/Tele unit ( Both accepted me)...but I picked Med-Surg/Tele Unit's offer because I felt like being a new grad and with not much exposure in the ICU during my nursing schooling I thought ICU will be too much for me to handle at this time....well, maybe in 1-2 years time I will reconsider it. Do you guys think I picked the right choice? I was told that I will be in orientation for 12 weeks but really no set time, that it will all depend on my confidence level. The nurse-patient ratio is 8:1 ( but I will have an LPN and PCU working with me) but I heard it can go up to 10 patients. Does this ratio seem fine or is it too much? My shift will be 7P-7A, 3 days a week. I will start on June 20th as an IPN-RN ( I don't have my RN license yet). I was offered part time too, 2 days a week 7A-7P but I picked the evening shift. I'd like a feedback from you guys to make sure I picked the right choice for me or did I make a mistake??????? What do you think of the patient-nurse ratio? The shift I picked? The orientation period? and oh, the salary? I will start at $24.15 plus $3.75 night differential. Does this sound right pay for what I will be doing?
Many thanks!

I am only a student finishing up my first year, however I do work on a med-surg unit as an intern. The pay+diff. sounds decent. I think that the patient:RN ratio sucks everywhere. Is it a lot? It could always be worse but not if you have 2 other people working with you. Just remind them that you are the team leader and if they would give you grief about it simply report it. I definitely think ICU is a lot to deal with for a new RN. I think you have made a wise decision.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2005

As an old Step Down nurse I think you made a good choice. If you have an LPN AND a PCU working with you for just your 8 or 10 patients you should be OK. You will need to depend on them to take over the nursing care if you get tied up having problems with just one patient or an admission. A night shift is usually a good shift for a new grad as long as you have good backup from the supervisors and other experienced staff. A 12 week orientation sounds good. You will have to learn how to read the EKG monitors I would think within six months or so as well. Where I worked the Step Down nurses had to float to the ICU if they needed help. It will probably be the same for you, so you will get some exposure to the ICU.

mye614 · Jun 12, 2005

thank you both for the qick feedback. Right now I'm excited to start and yet nervous coz I know there's more to it. I just hope that my transistion from a student nurse to an Rn will be easy. I know that there will be times that I will be frustrated and will have nightmares even in my sleep but I just have to tell myself that it will get better ( I hope).. I also hope that I will be assigned to 2 other staff (LPN/PCU) who are willing to work with me as a team and not to scare me off. I am the kind of person that finds it hard to say "NO" to anybody and I hope that I will not be taken advantage of because of this. I just don't like people disliking me. Oh, can you guys recommend good pairs of leather white shoes (this is what required of us to wear to work)? How about good stethoscope? Since I'll be working with cardiac patients as well, I think good pair of stethoscope will come in handy when I do my assessment. Any suggestions?

evans_c1 · Jun 12, 2005

As for stethoscopes you can never go wrong with a littmann. they have a cardiology model stethoscope I think. This brand is pricey but well respected in the med. community. Good luck with everything. I am here if you need me too.

jessica · Jun 13, 2005

I just graduated in May and my first job is on a Med-Surg unit and so far I love it! It's a stepping stone for me and I will probably move on in a year or so. But Med-Surg offers a solid foundation:: In terms of stethascopes I adore my Littmann Cardiology III is ~$150 but well worth all the $$. Have fun!!

p.s. the transition has been seamless (at least for me) from SN to RN.

mye614 · Jun 13, 2005

I just graduated in May and my first job is on a Med-Surg unit and so far I love it! It's a stepping stone for me and I will probably move on in a year or so. But Med-Surg offers a solid foundation:: In terms of stethascopes I adore my Littmann Cardiology III is ~$150 but well worth all the $$. Have fun!!
p.s. the transition has been seamless (at least for me) from SN to RN.

Jessica,

I'm glad to hear that you are transistioning well...at least knowing someone who is somewhat on the same boat as me (new grad in med-surg) is making me feel a little better and helping my confidence move a bit higher. Can I ask you something????? Prior to starting your nursing career, have you had any nursing (ie. CNA, LVN/LPN) type of job? I ask this because to some people what makes the transistion easier is because they've had nursing related type of experience or job prior to or even during their nursing schooling. You see, the only nursing experience I have is what I've learned from my clinical rotation (which was not really a lot because I feel we had more classroom time than clinical).

Oh, one more thing..do you mind sharing with me what has been your experience working in the med-surg floor so far? I mean, what would you say the thoughest job in the med-surg floor? Are you using any type of books or review material while youre working? Your response is much appreciated! Thanks :)

jessica · Jun 13, 2005

Jessica,
Prior to starting your nursing career, have you had any nursing (ie. CNA, LVN/LPN) type of job?
Oh, one more thing..do you mind sharing with me what has been your experience working in the med-surg floor so far? I mean, what would you say the thoughest job in the med-surg floor? Are you using any type of books or review material while youre working? Your response is much appreciated! Thanks :)

I did work as a clinical assistant at virtually every unit at the small hospital I work at and I do think that it did help some. Time management, prioritization and the general ambience of the hospital. Though, I do believe that nursing school did a wonderful job of preparing me for the 'real' world. I had the same doubts that you did when I first started as a GN and you will soon see that you do in fact "have what it takes" and it almost seems to come from within. In terms of books...I haven't cracked one since I took the NCLEX, but I do use my facilities intranet and online drug reference software. We have several texts on the unit and I see nurses referencing them from time to time. Trust your gut instinct and believe in yourself. It's been 4 weeks since I hit the floor and I'm taking 5 patients (the most I ever took in school was 2!!) and I actually have time to eat and take breaks. Right now, I' still learning the ropes and cannot wait until I become a more "seasoned" nurse. Keep us updated on how your doing!!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2005

thank you both for the qick feedback. Right now I'm excited to start and yet nervous coz I know there's more to it. I just hope that my transistion from a student nurse to an Rn will be easy. I know that there will be times that I will be frustrated and will have nightmares even in my sleep but I just have to tell myself that it will get better ( I hope).. I also hope that I will be assigned to 2 other staff (LPN/PCU) who are willing to work with me as a team and not to scare me off. I am the kind of person that finds it hard to say "NO" to anybody and I hope that I will not be taken advantage of because of this. I just don't like people disliking me. Oh, can you guys recommend good pairs of leather white shoes (this is what required of us to wear to work)? How about good stethoscope? Since I'll be working with cardiac patients as well, I think good pair of stethoscope will come in handy when I do my assessment. Any suggestions?

I'm not a good one to ask about shoes because I have a very wide foot and none of the shoes in a regular shoe store will fit me. I've been buying my shoes from orthopedic shoe stores for years. They carry the wider shoes. I've also had problems with plantar fasciitis so I keep an orthotic that is an arch support in both shoes to prevent that from happening.

Any stethoscope will do. If you really want to get fancy and have the money, get a Littman. They cost a lot more though. I don't like the Sprague type of stethoscopes because I think they are too bulky and heavier than just a plain old slimmer type. Whatever you get, mark it and label it with your name in some way. I had my name engraved on the back of the part you put against the patient. It "walked away" once and it came back to me 6 months later because someone recognized my name that was engraved on it.

jessica · Jun 13, 2005

Oh one more thing. You asked about shoes, I just purchased my first pair of Dansko Professional's and I LOVE THEM!!!! I know you said no to clogs, but you've simply got to give them a try. They are $$, but well worth it!