> You must be a RN because you sound just like them. <
Ha, no. But I have a few in the family. And yes, sometimes a complaint is just a complaint. But sometimes it’s valid. From what I hear, it’s a pure numbers thing. The amount of patients each RN is responsible for is increasing.
Were the numbers too low before? Or are they too high now?
More than simple numbers, the acuity (complexity) of the patient assignments must be factored. If you have a total of four patients, each requiring complex treatments, multiple IV meds, dressing changes, manual turning, and feeding assistance, these are remarkably time consuming activities.
Six patients requiring vital signs every two hours, a few pills every four hours, and an occasional assist to the bathroom would require less nursing time during a shift.
As our population has aged, patients are typically more complicated, with more co-morbidities.
Hmm. I worked at Mt Sinai years ago. RN. When 1199 aides
Went on strike it was wonderful.
I digress
Recently I worked at a place out on the island. I’d clock in and wonder if I’d be joined by another RN or be the only RN for 240 patients for the next 14 hours
Previous to the 12 (14/15) hour shifts I’d be in 3-11. Depending on having 3 to 7 admissions and or how many patient falls wed have to process, how many unionized aides called in sick I’d leave anywhere from 12 MN to 4AM
One time (in 3 years) I remember I took a few minutes to sit and eat a meal. They docked my pay 1/2 hour a day for all those years I finally had 15 minutes once
I guess laziness played into it somehow. I mean that’s the way nurses view economics.