What is the nurse-patient ratio where you work?

Nurses Safety

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So I recently learned on allnurses that California is the only state that has mandated nurse-patient ratios. I was honestly shocked and found it educational how hard fought a battle that was and how many other states are trying to pass similar laws. But it sparked my curiosity as to the average nurse-patient ratios in other states? What are the ranges of patients an RN sees on the unit/floor?

In California the ratios are as follows:

ICU, CCU, NICU/PICU, PACU, L&D, and ER patients requiring "intensive care:" 2:1

Step-down units: 3:1

Telemetry, Pediatrics, ER, Antepartum/Postpartum: 4:1

Med-Surg: 5:1

Psych: 6:1

*The only exception is a local or state declared emergency.

I became an RN after this law was in place for some time, so I really would be interested in the experience of others.

Specializes in ER, progressive care.

It varies by facility. I live in Texas and work on a progressive care unit (nights). For awhile our ratios were 1:4 but now they are 1:5 because we are short-staffed....we are also on a hiring freeze so that won't be changing anytime soon. The ratios are the same for days and nights. There is another hospital with a similar unit to mine that takes 1:7 :eek: I know 1:7 is managed in many units, but not when your patients are on drips, have VADs, have chest tubes...etc.

Med-surg is 1:6-7. ICU is 1:2 or 3 if short-staffed.

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Specializes in 1st year Critical Care RN, not CCRN cert.
So I recently learned on allnurses that California is the only state that has mandated nurse-patient ratios. I was honestly shocked and found it educational how hard fought a battle that was and how many other states are trying to pass similar laws. But it sparked my curiosity as to the average nurse-patient ratios in other states? What are the ranges of patients an RN sees on the unit/floor?

In California the ratios are as follows:

ICU, CCU, NICU/PICU, PACU, L&D, and ER patients requiring "intensive care:" 2:1

Step-down units: 3:1

Telemetry, Pediatrics, ER, Antepartum/Postpartum: 4:1

Med-Surg: 5:1

Psych: 6:1

*The only exception is a local or state declared emergency.

I became an RN after this law was in place for some time, so I really would be interested in the experience of others.

We just changed from 4:1 to 5:1 in our pcu and they also raised our acuity to include much sicker patients. I'm brand new and will put in my first year and will begin looking for new opportunities from there. 5:1 in a pcu with vasoactive drips makes me nervous everyday.

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Here in Indiana, MedSurg 6:1, Tele 4:1, Progressive Care 3:1, ICU 2:1

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Michigan (union): med-surg 4:1 days, 5:1 nights.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

I work in acute rehab/LTAC and my ratio is usually 1:5 or 1:6. We've had 6 every day this past week with a high census and it's awful. Can't wait to get back down to 5. They do try to staff based on acuity, so the nurse who takes care of the vented patients usually only has 4-5.

I'm in Massachusetts and I work day shift. Evening shift is generally 1:6 with an admission or 1:7 without. Night shift is 1:8 or 1:9 I think.

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Specializes in NICU.

I work on a team (RN, LPN, and one aide for the floor). The LPN and I can share up to 12 pts--although I had 13 not too long ago. I work on a medical floor with telemetry.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Bone marrow transplant and our ratios range from 1:2 with the sickest patients, to 1:4 if someone called in. We're usually 1:3.

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I am an LPN that works LTC in Mississippi, NOC, and my ratio is 36:1, with no RN on staff for NOC. The two other sections have higher ratios with no RN. The only time an RN comes in is 7-4 and 7-7 on Saturday and Sunday. I have tube feelings, flushes, breathing treatments, BS checks/insulins, and lovenox shots to give. We are also one of the two facilities that accept trach patients in this state. Thankfully they are in a hall of their own. But can you imagine what that one LPN must deal with. Oh... And we never have more than 9 CNA's, which are divided between the three sections.

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I work on a cardiac floor (GA). Days is usually 4 or 5:1 and nights 5 or 6:1. ICU & CCU are usually 2:1 unless they have a balloon pump 1:1 or something crazy. With 4 & 5 patients I rarely get to go home on time and run all day. I could not imagine having 7-12 pt's as the NY nurse stated earlier. That is so unsafe & scary!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

INDIANA

I previously worked nights on a busy med-surg unit - 8 to 10 patients was the norm. Now I work PICU and have one (plus first admit) or two. Just as busy - just fewer people to keep track of! :)

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When I signed on for my current genl med unit in NC, I was told the day shift ratio is generally 5:1 and occasionally goes to 6:1. However, I've discovered that 6:1 is the more common ratio during day shift. Our unit's night shift has max 6:1 also.

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I am in CA on a very busy med/surg/ortho/oncology floor and it is 5:1. We have a union and have fought hard to get this and also pay a lot of $ to the union. But.......the Corporation (that is what I call hospitals now) have found their way to hit us. Now the ratios for having CNA gets higher and higher so often we do not even have one. When the census is low we do not get one. So please tell me Mr. Corporation, how does having 5 patients and no CNA make sense just because there is low census? I still have 5 patients and now I am the RN and the CNA. Another trick is that the CNA's are only working 7 hrs so they arrive 30 min after shift change and leave 30 min before shift change. So now the lights are on while we are in report just to save a few dollars. Makes no sense.

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