Reality Shock

Nurses General Nursing

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:stone :crying2: I started my first position on a Neuro med/surg unit in April, While I love Neuro Patients (most of the time)---I hate the nurse--patient ratio. I work nights and have had up tp 10-12 patients with one PCT. As many of you know most of the patients are confused as bed bugs, pull there IV's out, NGT out, foleys out---etc... This is my first position as a nurse, but was not really what I wanted to do. It was like my third choice. Ii drive an hour to and from work and only work weekends (which I like, because I have three small children)

My question is---IS it too soon to know that this is not what I want to do?

I have an interview at the hospital in my town (10 min drive) today for an ER staff nurse position. ER was one of my first choices of what I wanted to do.

Am I getting in over my head as a new GRAD? I really need some honest answers about working in the ER vs floor nursing.

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Not sure where you are working but 10 to 12 neuro patients for one nurse is totally obscene. They are a much hehavier work load to begin with.

In this case, good luck with the interview. No one should jeopardize their license like that. And nwuro patients normally do not sleep at night like many others do. :)

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although you just graduated it sounds like you already know what you want. i don't think it's ever a bad idea to put yourself in a job that makes you happy.:) neuro pt are tough and 10-12 is too many even for a seasoned nurse, with ratios like that safety is the number one concern.

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I began working in the ER shortly after graduation from nursing school over 17 years ago and have never regretted that decision. I would at least go for the interview and see what you think. Find out how long your orientation will be and who your preceptor will be (hopefully you would be paired with someone who has experience in precepting). I wish you the best in whatever choices you make.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I agree; that ratio is obscene. And dangerous. I would not, could not, do that.

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Do you work at my old hospital?

I used to work on a neuro med/surg unit as a new nurse. Absolutely hated it because I would have 7-10 patients on nights with maybe 2 -3 nursing assistants for a 47 bed unit. I totally felt overwhelmed and awful because I felt like I was neglecting my patients because I couldn't get into their rooms as often as I wanted to. Not to mention having 2-3 trached patients, several confused patients crawling out of bed, q 1 hour neuro checks, etc, etc. Well I lasted 10 months at that job. I am now working on an ortho/neuro unit in another hospital where the staffing is good 1 nurse to 1 aide. I don't feel nearly as overwhelmed as I was at my last job. Talk with your manager about your concerns. If there is not a real push to hire new people then get out and find a job that has more support staff and less patients per assignment. You will get burnt out fast if you try to stick with something like this for too long, not to mention putting your license at risk. Best of luck to you.

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I say go for the ER job! There is no reason to stay in a position you dislike, and the distance issue is also a persuasive argument for making a change. I would recommend sticking with the next job you take for at least a year -- it will look better on your resume & you'll learn a lot.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

New nurse or not....LEAVE THERE IMMEDIATELY!!! :eek: You are putting your license in serious jeopardy! Find you a new job! Do NOT ever take a job where the ratio is that large. Five patients is my max. More than that and I'm NOT the nurse they want. :stone

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

That is an obscene and dangerous ratio for any kind of inpatient. Good luck to you.

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