Nurse to patient ratios in Med-Surg in Ontario question.

[linzz]

For those who work in Med-Surg and Rehab in a hospital, just wondering how many patients you are assigned and whether your assignment differs depending on whether you are an RN or RPN. Thanks.

[loriangel14, RN]

I work as an RPN in complex continuing care, so there is a mix of rehab, palliative, and seniors waiting for LTC placement. I usually have at least 4 pts on days and 6 on nights. It makes no difference between RPN and RN either in work load or pt acuity, we are all treated the same.

[my bedroom]

there are differences between RN and RPN's responsibility , for example where i work: RPN can not give IV medication also are not allowed to given drug by push thru PICC line.

For those who work in Med-Surg and Rehab in a hospital, just wondering how many patients you are assigned and whether your assignment differs depending on whether you are an RN or RPN. Thanks.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

The OP is concerned that this thread could degenerate into a free-for-all RN-vs-RPN battlefield and that was not the intent. She has asked me to delete the thread, but rather than doing that, I'd like to see where it goes just for today. I think the information could be useful, so rather than shut it donw right now, let's see how it evolves. Of course, if there are too many snarky posts the thread will go bye-bye.

[Fiona59]

Well for what's worth for your research guys, in Alberta

Surgical:

day shift 3-4 patients

evening 5

nights 7-9 (depends on staffing).

Patients are assigned to the empty bed, not the nurse who is covering them.

The LPN in my facility gives IV meds and starts IVs. Nobody on our floor pushes any meds (ICU and ER only have that chore). The closest we come is bolus fluids.

Picc dsg changes belong to the RN as do NG insertions (but usually we have eager residents and interns who want to do them). RNs start the blood transfusion after we have hung the blood and set up the lines. TPN likewise.

Hope this helps give a different side to your research.

Just remember you guys in Ontario make more than we do out here. The change in our scope to cover the IVs has been very unpopular among the PNs due to no increase in wages for an increase in responsibility.

[spiritmagejkt]

THank you for not deleting this. The info is helpful for me starting out since I'll probably be working the RVN's:yeah:

[Fiona59]

THank you for not deleting this. The info is helpful for me starting out since I'll probably be working the RVN's:yeah:

There is no such animal as an RVN in Canada. Each province regulates the PN's scope of practice and then to further muddy the waters, hospitals further decide which skills we can perform. So often our duties are site specific.

For example, I worked in one facility where I couldn't give any meds by needle, I crossed the parking lot to work in their dayprogramme and worked full scope. It could be very confusing for staff at times.