labornicurn

10 of my years were in NICU, last 8 in Labor. In labor and delivery capacity I have worked in CA, IL, and Oregon. Ive worked in a small town hospital, one comminity hospital, one small city hospital and one large inner city teaching hospital. I have worked in both agency and staff capacity. I had heard that one of the units was considering changing the nurse pt ratio but as of yet am not sure if they have. Guess I have been lucky. I am really not sure how prevalent this practice is. Key word here.....active labor.... I am fine with two early labors if all is well and not an induction but to take care of two actives at same time is unreasonable.

So what is the next step? Can we pull together and petition ACOG? Are there any RNs out there who actually think it is a good idea for one RN to care for two ACTIVELY laboring patients? (RNs that have actually done this or do it on a regular basis) And who recommended this...a physician? What are AWHONN guidlines if any? Thank you.

Thank you very much for the information. Speaking from 18 years of experience in NICU and Labor nursing I feel that assigning one nurse to more than one ACTIVE laboring pt. is unsafe and a disservice to both the unborn child and mother and to the RN. How do other RNs feel about this? I have worked on 4 units and have done agency in 2 units and have not experienced this yet. How prevalent is this practice and how do RNs feel about this issue from a nurse perspective or from a mothers perspective?

I have been an RN for twenty years. I recently found that one of my fellow RNs that has 8 years less experience is payed the same as me. I have more responsibility on my unit. I have always had great evaluations. Is this fair? I am sure the reason for this is to lure new RNs into a hospital but my thoughts are that this is just putting a bandaid on the problem. Should I address this and if so to whom? Thanks for your input.

I recently found out that a fellow RN who has 8 years less experience than I makes the same salary. I have always had excellent evaluations during my almost 20 year career. My thoughts are that new nurses are starting out at higher rates to lure them to a facility. I think this is like putting a bandaid on the situation. What do others professionals think? Is it fair? Should I address this and if so to whom?

Could anyone inform me of AWHONN nurse/pt. ratios recommendations? I attempted to find results on the web but was unable. Have been told that one nurse can care for two active pts. up until the time that one is complete. I hope this isnt the case.....please inform. I have always cared for only one active labor pt. and hope to continue to do so.

Thank you for your input. I realize that and would still be intersted in communicating with RNs who are independent contractors. Is there a demand for this?

I would be intersted in hearing from anyone who has successfully negotiated the "leap" of becoming an independent nurse contractor. I am not interested in starting my own agency. I would just like to cut out the middle man especially after reading about how lucrative agencys have become "off of the backs of nurses". Thank you!