Offered PCU Position

[ash.RN.]

I was just offered a PCU position at a local hospital. I graduated last May and just recently passed the NCLEX. During the interview I asked about the nurse to patient ratio and they said at nights, which is what I am going to be working would be 1:7. The orientation process is 8-12 weeks depending on how well I do. What is the normal nurse to patient ratio in pcu floors? I feel like this is too many patients to handle especially as a new nurse. Should I keep looking for another position? Or should I tough this out and hopefully within a few months to a year transfer to an ER position?

Thanks!

[zeus&lincoln]

I've never heard of a true pcu with those ratios. That sounds more like med-surg ratios. In my hospital PCUs have a ratio of 3:1 and are maxed out at 4:1. I would inquire more about the position. If they are truly pcu level acuity patients, those ratios sound dangerous.

[Vylince]

I agree with the previous reply, a nurse to patient ratio of 1:7 is not a PCU ratio that is acceptable. 1:3-4 is about the max I would ever accept!

[ash.RN.]

Thanks for replying. During the interview they were saying, they were trying to expand and lower the patient ratio down to 5. But I don't know how long that will take them to do.

[zeus&lincoln]

I know the market is tight, and some people will tell you to take whatever position is offered, but I disagree. Protect your license! It took too much effort to get it, to lose it over unsafe patient ratios.

[ash.RN.]

Thanks. Yeah I agree with you I don't want to risk it.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I'm relieved to hear that you didn't take the position. I've never heard of a ratio that high for a PCU. That's insane!

[VANurse2010]

I think what you're being offered is a med/surg/telemetry position that's called a PCU. Some hospitals don't have step-downs that are true PCUs.

[Dranger]

Dude no way that is a true PCU. PCU should be 1:3. 1:4 max if you have a CNA

[eniereng]

I work nights on a PCU, our ratio is typically 1:4 up to 1:6, it is actually pretty common to get 6 pts. Though I have to admit we are probably on the lower acuity level of PCU's, maybe this is a similar position to what you are being offered. We take some drips, cardizem, insulin, amio, lasix, bumex, integrilin, and occasionally NTG but thats about the extent of it. We get some fresh heart caths, pacers, chest tubes but really nothing too intense. But we also take some chest pain obs pt's too so we kind of get a mix of somewhat high acuity and some pretty independent patients. With 6 pts I feel like Im pretty maxed out, 7 pts doesn't seem safe, if one of the pts decide they want to take a turn for the worse on you now youre in a really bad spot.

[bebbercorn]

I am also happy to hear you didn't take it! On my PCU time we would get 1:5 every so often and i didn't feel like I was practicing safely, let alone giving the fair amount of attention to my pts. 1:3 were my best nights, but you could usually count on 1:4.

[kfitzy89]

Anything above 4 on a med-surg or my cardiology unit really makes me nervous about practicing in a safe manner, I couldn't imagine those ratios on a PCU!