What do you think you're DOING???

sweetyjen · Aug 19, 2005

Hi! I'm a new graduate, have been on my med-surg floor since june. typically our ratios are 5-6 patients per nurse. On a great day, it's four, bad day 7. We get lots of abdominal surgeries, such as colon resections, hernia repair, appys, choleys. we get gyn such as hysts, post partum hemorrhage. anything really! uncontrolled diabetes, pneumonia, n/v/d. Our wing has about 20 rooms. we normally have 3-4 nurses on our side plus a charge nurse that does not take patients and helps out whenever needed, plus makes assignments, deals with payroll and our schedules. usually have 2 techs, and a unit secretary that puts in all new orders and prepares the new charts when new patients come in. As of right now as a new grad that just finished orientation, I am actually not TOO stressed out. I am lucky to have some wonderful nurses that work with me and are willing to help out anytime, which seems like all the time!! :) I am constantly asking questions but they haven't told me to shut up yet so I guess it's ok! :) I like the fast pace of med-surg...patients constantly coming and going. yesterday I sent 4 patients home and got 3 new post op pts within the hour. I'm slowly getting the hang of things. I think I am lucky to have such a great group of nurses to work with. My nurse manager also makes sure we are taken care of too. So I pray that I feel the same in 6 months!!!! :) This could likely be the "honeymoon phase" of my career!!!!!!! :eek: I'm trying to prepare myself for the possibility that I may become extremely overwhelmed soon!

acw · Aug 23, 2005

I work on a 26-bed unit in a small Catholic hospital. Our census varies widely depending on the surgical schedule. We have several other hospitals nearby and the surgeons typically operate at more than one hospital. On good days, I feel like I provide really good nursing care. On bad days, I am frustrated that patients have to wait on me because I am so backed up and being pulled in so many directions at one time. On those days, it is very important to prioritize. The typical ratio is 4-5 patients per nurse. This is better than my last position which tended to be 6-7 patients per nurse. I have high job satisfaction right now (I have been a nurse for 2 years). When I was a new grad, I was much more stressed. I have learned that I don't have to beat myself up if I am not perfect.

NurCrystal22 · Aug 23, 2005

Thank yall so much for the info!

~Crystal

SarasotaRN2b · Aug 30, 2005

Currently on our med/surg unit, day nurses have 4 patients, 5 when short and on nights, 5 patients. Pretty nice, huh? Hopefully that won't change too much when I finally can be a RN here.

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Aug 31, 2005

How does you med surg floor fuction? we daily fly by the seat of our pants

What is the nurse patient ratio? not enough to too many

What type of "typical" patients do you have? no such patient on M/S floor

How stressed out are you?

We all look like this: :bugeyes:

so we do lots of this: :beer:

so we don't do this: :selfbonk:

:thankya: :thankya: :thankya: :thankya:

couldn't resist

mandrews · Aug 31, 2005

How does you med surg floor fuction? we daily fly by the seat of our pants
What is the nurse patient ratio? not enough to too many
What type of "typical" patients do you have? no such patient on M/S floor
How stressed out are you?
We all look like this:
so we do lots of this: :beer:
so we don't do this: :selfbonk:
:thankya: :thankya: :thankya: :thankya:
couldn't resist

One Supervisor, two rn's, one med nurse, one ob (may be on call), nursery lpn on call, icu on call, 1-2 cna's. We can have twenty five patients. Usually 5-8 apiece. Keep in mind that it is almost RSV, cold, and flu season. I usually have cirrhosis, CHF, AFIB, hyper or hypovolemia, fever of unknown orgin, decreased loc, total knee replacements, hip repair, fx shoulders, fx ankles, lots of little nursing home patients that are dehydrated or have BP problems or broke hips, pancreatitis, new moms, diabetic ketone acidosis, cancer, sickle cell crisis, blood transfusions, and my favorite GI bleed. I know I left something out. We are a little hospital but I like it because I am learning alot about everything. My friends who went to larger hospitals are specializing in one area and I get to learn a little of everything. If I ever had to find another job I feel like I can be a little more marketable.

:)

grace90, LPN, LVN · Sep 1, 2005

How does you med surg floor fuction?
What is the nurse patient ratio?
What type of "typical" patients do you have?
How stressed out are you?

I work 11-7 5 days a week on a ortho/neuro/general surg floor. Typically we have 2-4 LPN covers and 5-7 primaries. I get more stressed out when I have a lot going on with my patients. :uhoh21: Some nights I can barely sit down let alone pee or eat, other nights I have a little more breathing room. Occasionally we have to admit early surgical patients on top of our other duties, so that can get hairy.

I like the work I do and the type of patients we have, but I feel like we are understaffed. I find it difficult to give the patients what they really need most nights, as I am pulled so many different directions. I've learned to prioritize. The squeaky wheel who constantly rings for minor things has to wait sometimes while I deal with problems such as low bp's, high bp's, low sats, chest pain, etc. I'm learning that when I feel stressed out, I need to stop and take a deep breath and look at what I have on my plate and go to who REALLY needs me first.