What do you consider to be safe staffing levels for an inpatient psych facility? We have 1 nurse for 16 patients and then two techs (our techs help with meals, smoke breaks and personal care). Sometimes this is overwhelming should anyone require extra attention...either sudden acute medical or mental episode. I believe it's just too much responsibility for one nurse but that is the "matrix sent from corporate". The state I;m in requires and "average monthly" of one staff for four patients except on nights.