Yes, most hospitals have ratios... They are really just more of recommendations though in my experience. (Especially in the ER) I'm sorry that happened to you. It is really a patient safety/license safety issue. Throw a fit! If your charge nurse didn't respond in an appropriate manner to your direct request for help because of a safety issue. Go to the manager then director then whoever else. Yes, it is painful, but if you feel strongly about this, stand up for it. Because eventually, you will get used to it and it will feel normal to you to be abused like that, and it shouldn't be that way. Same thing happened to me for 7 years.... You don't realize how wrong it is until you experience something different! Good luck!