Safe nurse staffing improves patient outcomes. Period. There is no question this statement is true, but what exactly are safe nurse staffing levels, and how exactly do they impact patient care? As the staffing shortage grows and healthcare facilities reevaluate their available staffing options, this question gets asked more frequently each day.   Read on to understand how appropriate staffing levels are determined and their impact on patient care outcomes.

What is a safe staffing ratio for nurses?

Safe nurse staffing is a complex issue. Nurse staffing legislation varies by state. Furthermore, specific hospitals and other healthcare facilities may establish their own ratios. A registered nurse (RN) in a skilled nursing facility typically sees more patients per shift than a hospital RN. Furthermore, safe staffing ratios vary significantly from one hospital unit to another. Four or five patients per nurse in a medical-surgical unit is widely considered safe. However, this patient-to-nurse ratio would be dangerously high in an intensive care unit. Regardless of whether nurse-to-patient ratios are mandated by the state or determined by each facility, the following are factors that influence nurse staffing levels:

• Patient acuity
• Admissions numbers, transfers, and discharges
• Staff skill mix and expertise
• Physical layout of the nursing unit
• Availability of technology and other resources

  These factors help determine the maximum number of patients a nurse should be responsible for at any given time.