Nurse-to-patient ratio in AZ???

[Queen2u]

Hello there!!!! I am moving to AZ within the next few months. I currently live in CA where we were blessed with nurse-to-patient ratio laws. I am aware that AZ has no such laws. On average, how many patients do you care for during your shift and what unit do you work on? (By the way, I am a mother-baby nurse) THANKS!!!!!

[mrsboots87]

Each hospital will have its own policies, but they still answer to state surveyors. We don't have ratio laws, but ratios fall under the general requirement of safe staffing. If patients start reporting unsafe staffing, state will survey the facility. If facilities start having higher incidents of sentinel events and other adverse patient outcomes, it can flag investigations.

Anyway, all that to say, our ratios aren't mandated, but the majority of hospitals have appropriate ratios for the patient population. I work tele with a usual ratio of 1:4. Up to 5 if acuity is lower on my patients. I know someone who works in tele with strict 1:3 ratio. ICUs are generally 1:1 or 1:2. Med/surf is usually 1:5/6. I do not know what couplet care would be though. But I could imagine it would likely be close if not the same as your current ratio in CA. Unless you work for a janky Hospital.

[AZBlueBell]

I know Banner is usually 3-4 couplets/nurse. I'm not sure about other hospitals but would imagine it's similar.

[Queen2u]

Does this apply to all Banners?

[rachaelofcourse]

Does this apply to all Banners?

Yes, Banner's ratios are the same in all facilities

[hazel30, BSN, RN]

Yep, I'm at Banner in mother/baby and we can take up to 4 couplets.