Patient Ratio

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Specializes in Gen Med, Pre-Op/Post-Op.

I work on a busy Hemoc/Onc unit at night. I started 6 months ago after working Med/Surg. for 4 years. I was just wondering what others deal with as far as Nurse/Patient ratio?

Last night each Nurse had 6 acute patients not all CA patients and they tried to send more patients. The night manager ended up having to take the next 3 admissions. I feel so stretched to the limit with 6 and that once you take 7 patients it sends a message that it is ok.

Can a nurse refuse to take a patient if they feel it is unsafe? The acuity on our unit is quite high.

Also does anyone know the story of how California nurses became unionized?

Just wondering....

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Absolutely! It's your patients and your license on the line! Our highest ratio has been 4:1 and that's stretching it!

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Specializes in Critical Care, formerly Oncology.

Our ratio is 1:4 and very, very rarely 1:5 if they are extremely low acuity patients and we are understaffed d/t a sick call or something like that. I am fortunate to work on a unit that puts patient safety above finances -- our unit director has even come in to take a group when we were short-staffed, rather than risk patient care.

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Specializes in oncology, med/surg, ortho.

Our ratio max is 1:5, but when I was on a regular med/surg floor it was 7 patients max. I agree it is unsafe. I believe you are allowed to decline as another poster mentioned.

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