Unsafe ratios

I have the opportunity to work on a tele unit at a teaching hospital. I was very excited until I asked the NM about the nurse to patient ratio. She said that it is anywhere between 1:5 to 1:8. I'm thinking anything over 1:6 has to be unsafe. I really want to work at this hospital but it sounds like with 1:8 my license would be on the line. Any advice?

[PMHNP10]

I have the opportunity to work on a tele unit at a teaching hospital. I was very excited until I asked the NM about the nurse to patient ratio. She said that it is anywhere between 1:5 to 1:8. I'm thinking anything over 1:6 has to be unsafe. I really want to work at this hospital but it sounds like with 1:8 my license would be on the line. Any advice?

So other than the fact that your license would be at risk which if lost would result in you becoming unemployed, which would result in you making no money as a nurse and losing any insurance you might have from your job, what makes this a choice at all, much less a viable choice?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I have the opportunity to work on a tele unit at a teaching hospital. I was very excited until I asked the NM about the nurse to patient ratio. She said that it is anywhere between 1:5 to 1:8. I'm thinking anything over 1:6 has to be unsafe. I really want to work at this hospital but it sounds like with 1:8 my license would be on the line. Any advice?

My advice, in one word: DON'T!!

Run, do not walk, away from this "opportunity".

[Town & Country]

What scares me is the trend I have been hearing around here is one RN to 7 - 8 patients, doing "modified" primary care.

Modified my ###.

Just another ploy to save $$$. I am NOT taking ANY job that does primary care or anything near it. God Bless America, how the (bleep) do they expect you to be able to give all the PO meds, the IV meds, take off orders AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, including getting patients' second cousin a third cup of jello because "Is there anything else I can do for you? I HAVE THE TIME."

It just burns my biscuits! :angryfire

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

What scares me is the trend I have been hearing around here is one RN to 7 - 8 patients, doing "modified" primary care.

Modified my ###.

Just another ploy to save $$$. I am NOT taking ANY job that does primary care or anything near it. God Bless America, how the (bleep) do they expect you to be able to give all the PO meds, the IV meds, take off orders AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, including getting patients' second cousin a third cup of jello because "Is there anything else I can do for you? I HAVE THE TIME."

It just burns my biscuits! :angryfire

You must have worked at an HCA hospital, correct?

I am a FORMER HCA employee myself.

[Town & Country]

P.S. I am REALLY wondering if a nurse has to go to CA in order to practice safely. At least they have the mandatory staffing law there. Of course, there are probably other issues to take its place.

The trend is NOW to recruit foreign nurses. I saw on a travel or recruiting website that encouraged hospitals "foreign nurses are the only way to go!" :angryfire

It said most of them had BSNs, were "fluent" in English, and "eager" to come to the United States. (Translation: they will put up with anything once you get them here.)

They get perks that the United States nurses don't, I know this for a fact..........pretty sad situation for nursing.

[Town & Country]

You must have worked at an HCA hospital, correct?

I am a FORMER HCA employee myself.

To date, I haven't. But this seems to be the trend and I do not like it one little bit.