Survey on how many patients you get in a shift

NicuGal, MSN, RN · May 26, 2014

We combined our units about 10 years ago. Pretty much we oriented the step down peeps to NICU and if they couldn't cut it then they were offered jobs in the NBN. It was rough going at first. Good luck!

1bigmedicRN · May 28, 2014

I thought this was interesting about staffing requirements and the nursing laws. Nurse Staffing Plans & Ratios (link from the ANA)

Nurse Connie · Jun 2, 2014

Nurse Connie, that does sound scary! Do you have the aide assigned just to you and your team of patients, or does the aide float the floor?

We have one aide that only works with us in the NICU, she is absolutely amazing. When she is off or we need more help we get aides that float but typically there is a pool of 4-5 aides that are familiar with NICU and work with us often.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Jun 2, 2014

I work in one of those states and it is a big joke. We got dinged for staffing and assignments and all the did was come up with a plan. We get together with L/d and the nursery once a shift tell each other our stats, ask if there any floats to fix staffing and there's that. BAM. Sorry no help, have a good night. All they require you to have is a plan.

Ack_RN · Jun 5, 2014

We have 1:1 with cooling kids, but other than that it's 1:2-3. Level II is supposed to be 1:4, but a couple weeks ago they were 1:6. I would walk out with an assignment like that.

We've been slammed these past 8 months or so, but luckily our management is talking about bringing in some travelers. We're exhausted!

everytinything · Jun 5, 2014

We have a maximum of 3, and we never get asked to take more. Not sure if it matters, but we have a strong union presence at our unit.

Unstable vent=1:1

Stable vent, central lines, CPAP=1:2

IVs, feeder/grower=1:3

neonatal_nurse · Jun 28, 2014

Omg, Ack_RN i would do the same. That's just ridiculous! I've had 4 these past 2 nights and am waay exhausted. I cannot accept 6 or maybe 5 because it's just not safe. Kudos to places where 2 or 3 is the max, i would love to be in your shoes. Funny last night walked on FaMily care unit area, and they were like just sittin around in the station, answering calls, whereas in my unit we're running around all over nonstop!

neonatal_nurse · Jun 28, 2014

everytinything tell me where you are, i would love to be in that hospital! Haha! Which is actually how it should really be, i mean our job is hard as it is, and an overwhelming patient load is the last thing we need.

neonatal_nurse · Jun 28, 2014

NicuGal, same here! The other night we were so overwhelmed and asked for our manager for a "plan" to send somebody over, but all she said was to use our asst. manager for nights as a "resource person". My charge nurse was going nuts! Ugghhhh!

tallynurse · Jul 1, 2014

My unit has slowed down recently and we've been hiring a lot of nurses but for a while when we were overflowing with babies there were days when I had 4 patients in level 3 with one or 2 being vents. There is only one time where I have had just 1 baby and that was when my patient perfed and was being sent to another hospital. Pretty much unless there is a patient in extremely serious condition you will have more than one patient. That being said we all try to help each other out and normally when I've had a pretty sick patient and still had other patients my coworkers took care of my other patients for me. But we don't have CNAs or anything. Just the nurses.

HyperSaurus, RN, BSN · Jul 2, 2014

So, Tallynurse, you take 4 patients, including vents, with no aides or anything? You're responsible for all feeds, labs, and vent change stuff? That's crazy. It's good that you have a good team that you work with though

tallynurse · Jul 12, 2014

Yes. We do have RTs on the unit at all times to do most respiratory stuff but everything else we do.