whats the average nurse/patient ratio

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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?:confused:

Specializes in ICU.

Ta cheerfuldoer different language. I don't join in the patient nurse ratio arguement a lot since we have a DIFFERENT hospital setup here in Australia.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Ta cheerfuldoer different language. I don't join in the patient nurse ratio arguement a lot since we have a DIFFERENT hospital setup here in Australia.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

1 Rn per 8 pts sounds unsafe to me. I spent the past 3 years on a tele floor. We staffed 1:4 for days, 1:5 pms, and 1:6 nocs. Sometimes the RNs would be responsible for an additional 2-4 pts shared with an LVN. We had 1 CNA per 12 patients days & pms, often NONE on nocs. Sounds dreamy in theory, but factor in some VT, chest pain, nitro drips, cardizem drips, a couple cardioversions here & there, post heart caths, EKGS, etc. and it can get really hairy.We had a lot of overtime on that floor...an hour a day not unusual, and often no breaks.

I would ask for a tour of the unit...find out what kinds of patients they take. Is there a teletech? Is there a lead RN? Does the lead RN take an assignment? Are you expected to "cover" LVNs? Do they staff any better for certain higher acuities (some floors will add a "kicker" where if you have a cardiac drip, you get one less patient).

If you have never worked tele before, I would find out if they pay for your dysrhythmia/ACLS classes. How much precepting will you get?

Why not ask if you can shadow a nurse for a few hours? You might get a better idea of the job requirements.

Hope you find the best job for you! Keep looking, and don't settle for less. There are some decent jobs out there. Good luck!

:cool: ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

1 Rn per 8 pts sounds unsafe to me. I spent the past 3 years on a tele floor. We staffed 1:4 for days, 1:5 pms, and 1:6 nocs. Sometimes the RNs would be responsible for an additional 2-4 pts shared with an LVN. We had 1 CNA per 12 patients days & pms, often NONE on nocs. Sounds dreamy in theory, but factor in some VT, chest pain, nitro drips, cardizem drips, a couple cardioversions here & there, post heart caths, EKGS, etc. and it can get really hairy.We had a lot of overtime on that floor...an hour a day not unusual, and often no breaks.

I would ask for a tour of the unit...find out what kinds of patients they take. Is there a teletech? Is there a lead RN? Does the lead RN take an assignment? Are you expected to "cover" LVNs? Do they staff any better for certain higher acuities (some floors will add a "kicker" where if you have a cardiac drip, you get one less patient).

If you have never worked tele before, I would find out if they pay for your dysrhythmia/ACLS classes. How much precepting will you get?

Why not ask if you can shadow a nurse for a few hours? You might get a better idea of the job requirements.

Hope you find the best job for you! Keep looking, and don't settle for less. There are some decent jobs out there. Good luck!

:cool: ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

WOW you guys are complaining about 1:8? Our sugical tele floor on nights is 1:12 and the med tele is even higher.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

WOW you guys are complaining about 1:8? Our sugical tele floor on nights is 1:12 and the med tele is even higher.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Incredible, Kewl

Maybe those nurses should let their feet do the talking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Incredible, Kewl

Maybe those nurses should let their feet do the talking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted

Incredible, Kewl

Maybe those nurses should let their feet do the talking..

No place to go, there is no shortage here cuz all the hospitals, every one of which is unionized, staff like that

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted

Incredible, Kewl

Maybe those nurses should let their feet do the talking..

No place to go, there is no shortage here cuz all the hospitals, every one of which is unionized, staff like that

Up Vote Up Vote ×

on a medsurg floor they wanted to give me 12 patients on days....way to many! Then if one doesnt get enough attention, because one crashed, they complain and then you get a write up.

I quit that job and went to office nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

on a medsurg floor they wanted to give me 12 patients on days....way to many! Then if one doesnt get enough attention, because one crashed, they complain and then you get a write up.

I quit that job and went to office nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment