whats the average nurse/patient ratio

I was offered a job at a nursing care/rehab center, and I just found out that its a 40 bed unit. The nurse/patient ratio is 1:20. I think this ratio is unsafe and crazy....I was also offered another job on a cardiac unit in a hospital. The nurse/patient ratio on that unit is 1:8....

I have no experience with cardiac nursing, just rehab. I don't know which I should take.....any suggestions?

[mka126RN]

I was offered a job at a nursing care/rehab center, and I just found out that its a 40 bed unit. The nurse/patient ratio is 1:20. I think this ratio is unsafe and crazy....I was also offered another job on a cardiac unit in a hospital. The nurse/patient ratio on that unit is 1:8....

I have no experience with cardiac nursing, just rehab. I don't know which I should take.....any suggestions?

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

What is the accuity?

!:8 sounds LOTS better than 1:20 but if the eight patients are all unstable requiring multiple interventions while the 20 patients are all self-caring independant then you are beeter with the 1:20.

For further information look up the term "patient nurse dependency"(PND). One of the BIG pushes here in Aussieland is to use PND computer programs to accurately assess nursing requirements per shift.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

What is the accuity?

!:8 sounds LOTS better than 1:20 but if the eight patients are all unstable requiring multiple interventions while the 20 patients are all self-caring independant then you are beeter with the 1:20.

For further information look up the term "patient nurse dependency"(PND). One of the BIG pushes here in Aussieland is to use PND computer programs to accurately assess nursing requirements per shift.

[MelRN13]

Our cardiac telemetry is 1:6, not counting support staff. We've explored this issue numerous times, try the search button in the upper right hand corner, and you may find what you're looking for!

Good luck on your decision.

[MelRN13]

Our cardiac telemetry is 1:6, not counting support staff. We've explored this issue numerous times, try the search button in the upper right hand corner, and you may find what you're looking for!

Good luck on your decision.

[LilgirlRN, ADN, RN]

Look for another job. You don't HAVE to take either of these jobs.

[LilgirlRN, ADN, RN]

Look for another job. You don't HAVE to take either of these jobs.

[Going80INA55]

I would look for another job.

Our tele was 1:8 and it was TOTALLY insafe.

[Going80INA55]

I would look for another job.

Our tele was 1:8 and it was TOTALLY insafe.

[live4today, RN]

On dayshift, our telemetry unit's nurse/patient ratio is usually 1:5...no more than 1:6. It's more than enough to care for when they are cardiac telemetry patients. :)

gwenith...we call PND's Patient Acuities in American hospitals.

[live4today, RN]

On dayshift, our telemetry unit's nurse/patient ratio is usually 1:5...no more than 1:6. It's more than enough to care for when they are cardiac telemetry patients. :)

gwenith...we call PND's Patient Acuities in American hospitals.