Final answer:
A nurse responsible for staffing a medical-surgical unit must consider the patient census, physical layout of the unit, complexity of care required, educational level of all staff, and task preferences of the nurses.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse responsible for staffing a medical-surgical unit must consider several factors:
- The patient census: The number of patients currently admitted to the unit, which determines the staffing needs.
- Physical layout of the unit: The design and organization of the unit, which can affect workflow and patient care.
- Complexity of care required: The level of medical attention and intervention needed by patients, which determines the skill level of the nursing staff.
- Educational level of all staff: The qualifications and training of the nurses working on the unit, which ensures that patients receive appropriate care.
- Task preferences of the nurses: The individual strengths and preferences of the nurses, which helps in assigning tasks and optimizing their productivity.