Staff to patient ratios?

kstec, LPN · Feb 22, 2007

On average there is 2 nurses to 79 residents. This is a skilled facility. The CNA's have 12 residents on days. I've actually called other facilities to find out how they staff and act as if I were interested and they all sound about the same. One even told me that there is one nurse to 60 residents. Why in the he.. would I apply to a place like that, I might as well just tear my license up because I would lose it real fast in a place like that. LTC is a disgrace to the elderly. Give me severe dementia if I have to end up in a LTC facility.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Feb 22, 2007

On average there is 2 nurses to 79 residents. This is a skilled facility. The CNA's have 12 residents on days. I've actually called other facilities to find out how they staff and act as if I were interested and they all sound about the same. One even told me that there is one nurse to 60 residents. Why in the he.. would I apply to a place like that, I might as well just tear my license up because I would lose it real fast in a place like that. LTC is a disgrace to the elderly. Give me severe dementia if I have to end up in a LTC facility.

we treat animals better than the elderly in america.

and we all should be outraged.

lpnQT25 · Feb 22, 2007

Ok. this is scaring me! I graduated last summer. and work fulltime in a med/surg unit and recently picked up prn @ a LTC facility. This place is fairly new so the census is building... We have both skilled & unskilled patients, and I am "sinking" with 18 patients... There are two nurses. and we have to man the phones after 5pm... and it rings off the hook & the phones are only at the nurses station in the center of the facility with four long hallls off it. Between treatments and whos ringing for a prn med, and who needs changed and toileted.... we have just two aides and they are spread thin between dining hall and the others who eat in their rooms. & I always thought LTC jobs were "cushy" jobs! Boy was I wrong! I'll stick to my med/surg!

Simplepleasures · Feb 22, 2007

Until we LTC nurses have state or federally mandated nurse/ patient ratios we are not going to see any improvement. This current administration has not been a friend to the healthcare worker. Until we have a different administration and a strong unified congress and house, NOTHING will happen. I have spoken with many nursing home reform avocates all over the country and the general consensus is that change will not happen as long as the multibillion dollar a year LTC lobby loses its clout in Washington DC.Its up to LTC nurses to look to our own future by

1. Getting protection, not perfect but a step in the right direction, UNIONIZE.

2.Write congessmen and senators of your state, get all the nurses from your facility together and draft a letter, explaining what goes on in your particular facility.Ask specifically for nurse patient ratios in LTC.

3. Write to newspapers and even online journalists, blogs etc.Spill your guts.

4.IF you are brave, report your facility to the ombudsman or state, this may or may not get you anywhere but fired, so beware, be careful.

5. DEMAND EXCELLENCE of these new political candidates, get informed on what their stance is on healthcare and healthcare workers rights.VOTE WISELY.

kiszi, RN · Feb 22, 2007

11-7 shift: 1 LPN, 2-3 CNA's, up to 40 residents

7-3 and 3-11: 2 LPNs, 3-4 CNAs, same # of res.

7-3, when fully staffed, has it made: the above numbers, plus 3 restorative aides for the whole facility (145 beds), a treatment nurse, restorative nurse, MDS nurses, and who knows what else. (Do I sound jealous? I am! hehe.. just doing my time on nite shift now)

1:40 on nites might sound rough, but it's not bad. Depends on what the facility expects you to do, I think.

OP--what are your ratios? & what do you mean by being "Cut" all the time? They're pulling nurses & making you take on more residents?

k

snowfreeze, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2007

About 6 months ago I still worked LTC, staffing was on the 9 different units as follows: DAylight staffing sub-acute higher acuity 1 nurse 1 aid to 10 patients, rehab/sub-acute 1 nurse 1 aid to 14 patients, LTC 16 to 20 patients 1 nurse 2 nurse aid. Early dementia/personal care locked unit-18 patients 1 LPN 1 nurse aid, mid stage dementia locked unit-28 to 36 patients 1 nurse 3 to 4 aids, late stage dementia locked unit 36 patients 1 nurse, 3 or 4 nurse aids. behavior dementia 16 patients, locked unit 1 nurse and 2 nurse aids. Evenings is usually the same staffing ratio and nights drops to 1 nurse and 2 aids for dementia units, the LTC and sub acute are both 60 patient units and drop to 2 nurses 4 aids for LTC and 3 nurse and 4 aids for the sub-acute and LTC unit.

Not a bad staff ratio, but there is no career ladder so some staff tends to move on.

cbr600 · Feb 23, 2007

Thank you all so much for your responses. When I say being cut, in the last 2 months they have let positions go.. We are skilled nursing, rehab, dementia facility. The LPNs now have to get certified to do IV care. Which is great for my education, and I am always willing to learn.. but It just seems that the demands get higher. Some times I go home feeling like I forgot to do something, or maybe I could of done better at something.

I love being a nurse, and I want to do the best for my pt/residents and when I don't I feel so bad/sad..

styRN · Feb 23, 2007

brand new 320 bed facility with a mix of needs and a 64 bed high-risk lock down unit

Days - 3 RNs, 10 RPNs, 30 PCG (personal care givers, unregulated staff)

Eves - 2 RNs, 10 RPNs, 20 PCG

Nights - 1RN, 5 RPN, 10 PCG

PCGs do all hands-on cares

RPNs do most meds and tx

RNs do complex tx and meds, IVs, physician rounds, and also do in-house tests like EKGs, some labs, etc.