Nurse/pt Ratios, and Orientations

[NurseSuzy]

Hi! I'm a new grad who was hired to a position in ICU/CCU. The unit consists of two units side by side , one is CCU, one is ICU. There are 6 beds on each side, for total of 12. I'm still in orientation, and have already came up with a few questions for comparison.

Each day I've worked there are for six beds 2 RN's and a secretary. Some days there is an LPN, some days not. Some days not all beds are full, some days they are. My preceptor has been assigned an orientee ( myself), and still had to carry three patients. This is not normal I'm beginning to hear from other grad's,etc. So I have these questions;

1. What is your usual nurse patient ratio in ICU/ CCU??

2. What kind of patient load does a nurse teaching a new grad carry?

3. What is the usual orientation time for a grad ?

I'd appreciate any responses, because I'm beginning to wonder if this is a chronic thing here, and I'm looking at a job where my license will be in jeopardy constantly ..

Thanks!!

[bellehill, RN]

In our neuro critical care the ratio is 2:1. Our preceptors carry 2:1 during an orientation, usually the most critical patients. The orientation period for a new grad includes a fellowship program which I believe is 3 months long. After the fellowship new grads can interview for the ICU of their choice and their orientation for that unit is usually 8-12 weeks long.

The only time we carry more than 2 patients is if there are quite a few patients ready to transfer out and are waiting on beds. I don't know the aquity at your facility but it sounds a little intense for a new grad. Make sure you are comfortable with your orientation and your preceptor.

[AfloydRN, BSN, RN]

Our CCU traditionally tries for 2:1... HOWEVER... you know we will get an admit from the ER or a crash from the floor. There is no predictability in nursing. When I orient someone the load is the same because I am still legally responsible for those patients as well. Orientation length is different for everyone. Some catch on faster and some just don't.

[gradRN2007, BSN, RN]

I don't know if this will help but i will be orientating for 6 months when i start as a new RN on a intermediate cardiac unit. i think the ratio if 1:4, but it's not ICU, usually no vents and the patients are here from cardiac cath and open heart. I also think they will be getting some other med-surg patients there too.

don't start till june but hopefully will be a great beginning!!

[APNgonnabe]

I am a new grad in a critical care 'residency' program. Our nurses have 2pt. When we are with them for the program we have 2pt, they encourage us(the new nurse) to work up to 2 as quickly as safely possible, other wise the staff RN mentoring us would take the second pt. Our program is 6 months which includes approx 6wks of floor nursing, then we alternated b/t our Neuro/Burn & cardiac ICU. We are then on orientation I believe for an other 6month.