nurse/pt ratio

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Specializes in Psych, geri.

I want to say that I remember something about IN looking into nurse to patient ratios. Has anyone heard about this? It would be SO nice!!

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Specializes in CNA.

It would be very nice if IN followed safety first and implemented nrs/pt ratios instead of using acuity needs. I doubt seriously if they ever do though. Its all about the money and facilities save a TON of money by not having to staff based on ratios. I have looked into this subject a bit and the different orgs. I contacted (ISNA, State Dept. of Health, The governor's office...I contacted everyone I could for a research paper LOL) all said basically, "we do not have anything to say on this subject at this time. IN nurse staffing is based on acuity needs and it is up to the facility to staff appropriately". So, it seems to me if nurses want ratios in IN we all need to start lobbying every organization that makes the rules including state governments. just my two cents, but enough squeaky wheels and maybe things would change.

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Specializes in CNA.

Thanks for the article. It is the lobbyists that get things done and sadly those who are pro-ratios either haven't lobbied enough, or don't have enough money to push the lawmakers in the right direction. Another thing is Time, its a scarce commodity in the nursing world so a lot of nurses can't get out there and campaign for patient/nurse safety issues. Isn't it weird that Indiana has the money, time and energy for all these new sports arenas but to take the time to ensure our elderly/sick population are taken care of properly, we don't seem to have enough resources?? Scarey how screwed up our priorities have gotten.

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Specializes in Dialysis, geri,.
It would be very nice if IN followed safety first and implemented nrs/pt ratios instead of using acuity needs. I doubt seriously if they ever do though. Its all about the money and facilities save a TON of money by not having to staff based on ratios. I have looked into this subject a bit and the different orgs. I contacted (ISNA, State Dept. of Health, The governor's office...I contacted everyone I could for a research paper LOL) all said basically, "we do not have anything to say on this subject at this time. IN nurse staffing is based on acuity needs and it is up to the facility to staff appropriately". So, it seems to me if nurses want ratios in IN we all need to start lobbying every organization that makes the rules including state governments. just my two cents, but enough squeaky wheels and maybe things would change.

UUummm No. They staff by census. I work in ECF and I WISH they staffed based on acuity. Where I work we have 2 buildings. One has 3 locked units for alzheimers pts and one hall of rehab to home. The other building has all other high acuity pts (g-tubes, vents, IV ATB therapy, behaviors..etc...) The 2 buildings together have the same amt of pts approx 50 in each building but the one w/ 4 halls gets 4 nurses, the other much higher acuity w/ 2 halls only has 2 nurses. Totally not fair @ all! It should be the opposite, 4 nurses in the bldg w/ 2 halls bc the acuity is so much higher. W/ you being a CNA whoever does the charting for ADL's make sure you are giving yourself credit for how much you do for the pt, dont copy what everyone else has put. Give yourself credit for everything you have done for your pts. Hopefully one day staffing will get better.

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