Nurse-Patient Ratios

Published

Looking for input on nurse patient ratios for med-surg floor. Currently 4-5 to RN (If nurse starts with 5, she is given 1 patient who will go home on her shift. If starts with 4 than will get an admission during shift). We have a charge nurse who has no patient assisgnment and is intervention and 1 CNA for every 7-10 patients and a Unit sec. This is a 35 bed unit. I understand that we are close to CA ratio numbers. Your input please.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

On a 32 bed unit, we have one nurse director (takes no patients but helps everyone), 2-3 aides, and 4-5 nurses. This means 1 nurse for ever 6-8 patients. The patient acuity does not matter, the floor is pre-divided into sections so you just take care of the patients in your designated section. Also, the charge nurse is one of the regular floor nurses who takes the same number of patients as the regular nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
And I bet the pay sucks! You guys need to form a union and get the pay and patient safety ratios you deserve.

Where can I find info on "union"? And, will this put my employment at risk? I've heard that when my facility hears "Unoin" the administration gets very upset.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

where can I find info on "UNION"? Could this cause my employment to be at risk? I've heard that at my facility when administation hears "UNION" they get a little upset.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

jerzytech

This sounds pretty good, compared to what I get. Where did you say you work? Are they looking for any help?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

babysitter2

Don't get me wrong, I love my job with all my heart, for my patients. But if your strong and versitile, you'll make it. Chin up. You can do it !!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CARDIAC SURGERY, TRAUMA,.

Babysitter, get a job traveling and figure out where you want to work. If you are back East, think again. I've heard from Travelers that their worst assigments were in Washington DC.

I haven't started my nursing program yet....still finishing pre-reqs....but I have heard that nurses feel very overworked and stretched to the limit (patient limit, etc..) Others say that this is one of the primary reasons for nurse shortages. Some get overwhelmed by the years of shortages and switch out of this profession.

Just a question from the new up and coming!!! (Hopefully)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CARDIAC SURGERY, TRAUMA,.
where can I find info on "UNION"? Could this cause my employment to be at risk? I've heard that at my facility when administation hears "UNION" they get a little upset.

Of course they get a little upset, right now they can pay you peanuts and fire you at their will. With a union, you have a contract, they have to think about how they treat you for a change.

Contact www.calnurse.org they can help you get a union started. We need Ratios across the country.

If it puts your job at risk, that is what your employer wants, to put the fear in you so you don't speak up. Get going girl, we need you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion