Staffing ratio standards?

[solagratia]

Hi all,

Lately at work we seem to be short-staffed chronically...

what I would like to know is, is there a standard for psych staffing? I know that california lists 1:6 as the "psych requirement", but I don't know if that is on the mark.

Where I work it is not unusual to have over 10 pts per nurse, and possibly be responsible for the 2-3 kids on the adolescent unit (which they staffed with 1 mental health tech, no nurse). Am I being unrealistic in my staffing expectations (like

(I work 3-11, which is an admit-heavy shift.)

Thanks in advance, you guys always seem to give insightful feedback.

[CharlieRN]

Exact answers need to take into consideration other factors besides just the number or nurses and clients. What is the population being served? What is the level of acuity? What is the physical layout?

I generally consider that a charge RN is responsible for only one unit. Even if another unit is staffed with an adequate number of non RN nursing staff, if the RN can't safely leave where she is and go to her second area, then that's not ok. For example; if the locked adolescent inpatient program has 2-3 RNs and the unlock adolescent residential program which is staffed by "residential care workers" has a nursing problem it is reasonable for the inpatient nurse to cover. If there is only one RN on that inpatient unit then she is not able to leave to cover another unit.

6:1 patient to staff ratio is minimal, I like 5 to 1 better. But if there are other nursing staff present then a 10 or even 12 to1, patient to RN, ratio may be fine. Adolescent programs need plenty of sane adults, but they really don't need to all be nurses. An adult inpatient program may have a slightly higher RN need.

No unit should ever have less than two staff of some sort. One to tend the emergency and one to call for help. However, on a low acuity, residential program, on the 11 to 7 shift, one staff might be safe most of the time.

[TxPsychRn]

That sounds very unsafe , even without knowing the acuities , I have worked in California and the ratio is strict there as far as 6:1 , but that means all staff , if you have a med nurse , you get 12 pts , etc .

There is no national standard if that's what you're asking , but you are NOT being unreasonable with that kind of request , especially if you are being asked to cover 2 units , Good luck and hopefully they will get you more staff shortly !!!