Published Jan 21, 2016
Loloberry
55 Posts
I have only been in the area four months and in my current position almost three of those months. I accepted a job offer right away because I wasn't sure how good the job market was in the Charleston area. I am definitely not loving this position I accepted because the ratios are just too high for me to feel comfortable. I work on a tele unit and every shift I expect to have 6 patients with 1-2 cardiac drips. Most nurses have to stay late to chart (sometimes for several hours) because pt care prevents any real-time charting. Is this normal for the area? I moved from a state with a really active nurses union who put an emphasis on lower ratios, so maybe I'm just spoiled. I don't want to apply for other jobs in the area if they will all be this way. Thanks for any help!
Sun0408, ASN, RN
1,761 Posts
Normal for the area. I'm in Myrtle Beach and for a floor pt that's pretty normal. Sometimes up to 7-8. Step down/ PCU is typically 4:1. ICU is typically 2:1 if staffing is good. However, it's not unheard of to have 5-6 pts in PCU/ step down and 3 in ICU for those short staffing shifts[emoji20]
Oh man it sounds like I may be spoiled. The last floor position I had was pcu tele and we only had 5 on really busy days. I love bedside nursing, but I'm not sure how long I can keep this up before I decide the stress isn't worth it.