What do you think of this ratio?

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

I interviewed for a position on a med-surg floor and I would like some input. The nurse to patient ratio is 1:4. That really shocked me. Other places I've worked/interviewed at had ratios of 1:6, 1:8, and sometimes even more. So what do you guys think? Does anyone have this ratio on their floor?

I'm also really impressed that the nurse manager offered to let me job shadow. I didn't even ask.

1:4 is a very sweet ratio! On my floor, we have sometimes 1:8 - 1: 11. I dont think I've ever seen anyone with more than 12, but I have seen that. When our ratio falls below 1:7, they send our aide home. Yes, I am currently seeking other opportunities! If I were looking at 1:4 ratio, I'd take it and RUN!

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Specializes in ER, Telemetry, Transport Nursing.
I interviewed for a position on a med-surg floor and I would like some input. The nurse to patient ratio is 1:4. That really shocked me. Other places I've worked/interviewed at had ratios of 1:6, 1:8, and sometimes even more. So what do you guys think? Does anyone have this ratio on their floor?

I'm also really impressed that the nurse manager offered to let me job shadow. I didn't even ask.

AND WHERE DID YOU SAY THIS FACILITY IS LOCATED?;)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

On my floor, it is currently 1:5....but, can be as low as 1:4. In rare cases, if someone calls off and cannot be covered, it may jack up to 1:6.

And yes, I remember the good ole days....1:10-1:12....well, maybe not so good.....but folks were not as sick and complicated as they are now. Also...the paperwork was much less then too...making it easier to "spend more time with more people".

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Specializes in med/surg, TELE,CM, clinica[ documentation.

Our ratio is generally 1:5. Occassionally 1:6. 1:4 is a great ratio and the offer to shadow is too! Good luck!:idea:

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Thanks for everyone's input on this. I feel that I am fortunate to have found a floor with such a great ratio and I did accept the position. I will be starting in a few weeks. I'm still nervous as to if I'm doing the right thing leaving my nice 9-5 job, but I feel that I need to do this for my future career goals.

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Specializes in ER, Telemetry, Transport Nursing.

6 years ago

During nights we would have 1: 10

3-4 years ago

During nights we used to have 1:7 or 1:8.

now

we are down to 1:6

Colleagues, a low patient-nurse ratio is not the entire picture

1. Our Patient Acuity level has gone up 200% from 6 years ago

2. Turnover rate has doubled in that 6 years

3. less experienced RNs per unit has increased

Advise: please stay in your unit for a couple of years. Help the new ones get used to the grind.

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.

I work on a medical telemetry floor, on night shift we take 4-6 patients with an average of 5 pts, we do have 1-2 wonderful aides depending on census. We get a wide variety of pts on our floor, from end of life care and chemo pts to cardiac and CVA pts, never know what your gonna get.

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Specializes in Med/Surg; Psych; Tele.
Obviously, you don't live or work in California. We have a nurse staffing ratio law here and 1:4, 1:5 is pretty common and it's the law. A number of states are also trying to work toward achieving this. I wouldn't be surprised to find Medicare pushing for it as well. At a facility doing this you can truly do all the kinds of nursing things you were taught in school. I was recently hospitalized twice and both times my RNs had 4 patients each to care for with nursing assistants doing most of the actual hands on basic care.

I find myself constantly wondering about that (when are the other states going to enact staffing ratios into law). I mean, how is it that Cali is still the only state to have this after what 3-4 years now?

Daytonite, that's awesome that you don't have to run yourself to death and that you actually get to provide optimal patient care - sounds like a dream!!!!

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Where I work in Washington, 4 patients is the standard. Two are taken by the tech from each of the 3 or 4 nurses. This is pretty standard for safety reasons. This is on Ortho, Oncology and Med-Surg.

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i work on a med-surg floor (mainly medical). 90% of the patients we receive are nursing home pts that are complete care ( confused, mult decubs, turn q 2, etc). days & eves it's 6 pts per nurse, nights it 8 pts per nurse & in the past year it has become dangerous. this hospital has done away with sitters & we are to give a list of sitters or private duty nursing care to the families if they want a sitter & they have to pay out of their pocket for it. i'm glad i've been offered a position at another facility because i can see something bad happening in the future!

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