Nerdnurse16

My ed is "fully staffed" during the mid shift (which is the busy time) and the ratio is 1:3. Late night/early morning the ratio is 1:4 or 1:5 depending on your room assignment. For example last night I was 1:3 from 7p-1a then 1:5 from 1a-7a. We usually really slow down after 1 so I do not often have 5 pts, but it does happen and it gets hectic. The er I did my practicum at had a 1:4 ratio and 1-2 float nurses during the mid shift. As for the second part of your question..it really just depends. If you get a stemi or a code at 645 you are going to be very busy when your relief gets in and will probably be getting out late. If a back pain comes in at 645 they are generally fine to sit a couple minutes. If I get a room for a pt as my relief is walking in (ESPECIALLY for an icu pt), am I forced to stay and wait 10 minutes longer until the floor nurse will take report, get them ready to go, etc? No. Do I? Yes. It's the right thing to do. I rarely get out late but it does happen. You've got to have each other's backs in the ed. If I've got an iv start when day shift walks in they usually offer to do it, and I give them the same courtesy at night.