Posted by Marsha on August 12, 1999 at 08:16:00:
In Reply to: Re: Changing role of the CNA posted by Debbie on June 30, 1999 at 05:46:39:
I would like to know what the legal ratio of CNA's to patients and ratio of RN's to patient load. I hear so much about abuse..seems to me that short staffing is really where the abuse begins. It is a misuse of staff and clients. Facilities seem to comply with so many "good" conditions for residents but they get away with short staffing. What is the legal ratio? I'm new at all this. I have lots of questions.
: HI Pat I work in a 150 bed facility. As far as
: staffing, we are short staffed 95% of the time.
: When we are short, each Aide has 20--22 residents
: for that day. When we are not short, we have 14
: residents. We have all the OT we want and don't
: want!! For the past year the morale at our
: place has been really down. We have tried to
: pass it off, and I know we don't let it show in
: our work. It all has to do with working short for
: so long. It can wear you out, as I', sure you
: kmow. I'm one of the older Aides at our place
: (43) and alot of times it's up to me to get
: everyone to rally around and work together to
: to the best we can, taking one day at a time and
: not giving up. I bring in snacks at least once
: a week, for instance the other day, it was sooo
: hot and humid, and I brought in 2 gallons of
: ice cream and 24 cones. It helped! At our
: facility we ALL work together one the afternoon
: shift. It's better that way I think. Thanks for
: listening. Debbie