Published
oh it varies so much by location and state. In med-surg, it can vary from 1 RN to 5-6 patients all the way up to 1 RN: 11 plus (with a CNA or LPN working w/him or her). It varies a lot. Depends on whom you ask.
And ICU and other areas vary even more. Just can't generalize and give you a picture nationwide more specific than that.
Standards for ICU are one nurse to two patients; sometimes a patient is a 1:1 or even requires two nurses for the one patient. You will find some facilities in some states that will actually use 1 nurse for 3 patients, but that doesn't meet national standards.
And there are hospitals where every patient on a ventilator is considered a 1:1.
thats true! one nurse handles one ventilated patient. and thats the standard here in australia. otherwise ull be in trouble with the union. yep, our nursing union here has a strong say about patient ratios.we also have 6 weeks paid holiday leave. how about in the US?:)
My hubby from OZ, I couldnt BELIEVE it when he told me about how much time workes get off there for holiday. When he moved here 6 years ago, he found out the ugly truth, here in the US it's work, work , work, and we (I) feel guilty when I DO take a vacation(for a week) b/c that means the nurses working are having to work harder because of me being off...grrrr
yep! we get 6 weeks paid holiday every year. we also have one ADO (accrude day off) per month. that means we get paid for 8 hrs without going to work once a month. permanent full time staffs work only 38 hrs per week, over that is already overtime = 2.5 pay. sick leave also accumulates. we have pet leave, compassionate leave, study leave, and all the sorts of leave i think. :)
maria
maria_oz
7 Posts
haller!
im a registered nurse - cns in australia and had applied to work in the US.
ive meet a couple of nurses from there that moved here down under and had told me that if i go there, its like going to a less better condition. they also said that though u get paid more there, workwise u have to work really really hard.
hows nursing like in the US?