back2nsg

Wow! 7 comebacks! Thanks everyone! This is actually my 1st post and I enjoyed reading your responses. My 1st ED: Chicago, IL ratio 3:1 can go up to 4 if busy and maybe 5 or 6 if we start pulling pts to hallway (dt low bed availability or staffing). High acuity. but usually we are very organized and goal is to bring pt to floor as soon as admission orders are in. We usually bring pts to floors asap. Short staffed? call agency nurses. It's a level II inner city but as like everyED, we get everything from nothing to lots of things. We have the luxury of TV's too, so if the TV is broken - pt try to elope, sign out AMA... u get the pic. Pt's per shift normally 12-20 depending on acuity. 65000 seen in ED in 2008. 30 bed unit + 6 fast tracks. All agency RN'S LOVE our ED d/t patient ratio and complete set of monitors for every room. RN satisfaction - low turn over for staff (pretty happy). 2nd ED: Downers Grove, IL ratio 3:1 and same as above. This is a Level I. Worked here as agency and everyone here seemed real happy about being in their ED. They have a lot of room for growth and leadership in ED. 3rd ED: Lakewood, WA ratio 3:1 when I worked there as agency in 08. Level II. High acuity. RN Floaters in each pod to help you out. 4th ED: Takoma Pk, MD ratio 4:1 to 5 to 6. Level II. High acuity. Other staff from what I gathered are happy about how they've grown here as a nurse in the ED bc of the craziness. 52 pt's in 8 hrs when I worked last night from 1p-9p. It was one of those days! Conclusion: I like the 1st 3 ED's I've been in. Patient safety is our #1 priority and I started this thread bc I was curious to know how others dealt with ED that has higher nurse to pt ratio with high acuity levels. I felt overwhelmed in this most recent ED I am in. I guess this ED I'm in is not that bad compared to 5:1 and the 8:1!!! How do you survive your shift? Take it day by day? Thanks again everyone!

Research nursing is another one

Oh RNDreamer, Hang in there. I remember not wanting to do nursing, but you are a new nurse and this might be the "nursing blues" as they call it for newbies. I've been there...I started in SICU as a new grad and I felt like crying everyday at the end of each of my shift. But my co-new grads and I would have a ***** fest after work and let it all out and feel better after. I realized later that it's the people I worked with I didn't like and not the job of caring for others. They were very negative, put-downers, not encouraging, "eat their young" type of nurses, and clicky... I got out after my year and bravely risk a travel assignment to get out (bigger pay and out of that clicky unit) then did agency work after (hip hip hooray-usually no politics)...I was happy, but a lot happier after I finally found my love and that is in the ED, but it wasn't love at first sight. Hang in there... Nursing is a broad spec, if you are patient you will find your home.

Hi everyone, I am curios to know what is your ED nurse to patient ratio. Please say what city and state your ED is in + nurse/patient ratio + level of ED (I, II, III) + acuity level (high/med/low) + patient turn over rate in your 12 hr shift (eg., 8 patients per shift) if you can remember or per year if you know. Also, how do you feel about the nurse to patient ratio you currently have 1) in terms of patient safety and satisfaction 2) in terms of your own standard level of care/ personal satisfaction from the care you have provided Are you happy with it? Why? Why not? Your response will be greatly appreciated!!! b2n

This thread has been helpful. I have a cathlab interview soon now I know a little on what to expect. Thanksssss!!!!