Pt / Nurse Ratio - and things you like about post-partum

[BookishRN]

I'm contemplating a change from surgical post-op to post partum (switching hospitals, too) - and wonder what is the "normal" patient load in a community hospital's post-partum unit. Is 8 a lot? (not couplet nursing at this time at this place I'm contemplating)

And what do you like or dislike about nursing on a post-partum unit?

[webbiedebbie]

I personally prefer postpartum. Where I am currently working, we take gyn's also. We can have up to 9 patients, which I don't necessarily agree with at times, especially when you have fresh post-op admissions on your shift...but everyone is looking at numbers these days and not acuity.

My second job is a mother/baby unit where we get up to 4 couplets and still do gyns.

[breastfeedingRN]

I personally prefer postpartum. Where I am currently working, we take gyn's also. We can have up to 9 patients, which I don't necessarily agree with at times, especially when you have fresh post-op admissions on your shift...but everyone is looking at numbers these days and not acuity.

My second job is a mother/baby unit where we get up to 4 couplets and still do gyns.

i love couplet care! some nights can be a little "boring", but there are many a night that aren't. breastfeeding issues, postpartum hemorrhages, people with pre-existing issues, etc. i do love all the teaching and getting to work with the mother/baby pair. we also get GYNs occasionally, so you still get some med-surg in there. i have no interest in L&D, the medicalization of the birth process drives me nuts and i would go crazy in L&D, but i love helping new parents, breastfeeding challenges, etc. i had a patient on remote tele this weekend, several on IV anbiotics and breastfeeding issues galore. it was definitely not a "boring" weekend for me.

i say if it sounds interesting, to go for it!