NURSING AND EDUCATION PLATFORM

Just visited a patient in a FT hospital. Care was marvellous whilst we there there (nobody knew me), and the student on her first placement was amazing.

Point is staffing- 5 staff. 3 nurses (unless one was HCA- from agency), 2 HCA. 30-20 year ago, similar staff level for 30 pts on  a late shift BUT nobody had pre-delegated roles eg clean water jugs- we all rellied on somebody to do it unless we did it ourselves as care assistant or student nurse. I have known nurses do such tasks.On a late shift in hospital there would be 2 nurses; in care home- one nurse or for  a longterm care ward in a hospital.

Another point, when addressing staffing or other issues- look back in history.

Thus staff levels do differ according to what field we work in- and you can never perfectly predetermine the level. I have never known  a case with extra staff for the additional 6 admissions or whatever. Nor can you time care- ie simply assisting a patient to move up the bed may take far more than 10 minutes--. But yes- we do need a minimum below which (when unplanned) by magic, the nurse in charge can get additional staff from mars. Beam me up Scottie!