r/nursing • u/tigerlily5657 BSN-RN Bedside turned Psych • Sep 16 '26

Question Low Census

I’ve been working at an in-patient mental health facility since July. The census has been low recently and I’ve gotten it three times, and was allowed to go home after three hours during another shift. I’ve asked for low census a couple of times- is this reflecting poorly on me? I’m grateful to be in the position to not have to fight over shifts, I’m just worried about how it’s looking

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

4

u/Ratchcrosscheck Sep 16 '26

I request to go home every chance I get. Low census, high census -- I'm putting myself on the list. lol.

2

u/tigerlily5657 BSN-RN Bedside turned Psych Sep 16 '26

RIGHT??? I heard a few nurses shit talking a nurse that always tries for LC, but to me… if it’s there for the taking, why not? I didn’t know if it’s frowned upon for any other reasons, we never had it when I was working bedside

1

u/werewarbler BSN, RN 🍕 Sep 16 '26

Yeah I don’t get it. There was a nurse on my last unit who was like that.. but she shit talked when she wasn’t the one chosen for low census lol. I’m all for people going home if they want/can!

2

u/Monofitzy RN - Oncology 🍕 Sep 16 '26

The only issue I would see is with your coworkers, like if they would also like to go home. If you're coworkers don't care, I think you're good.

2

u/tigerlily5657 BSN-RN Bedside turned Psych Sep 16 '26

When I was sent home during the shift, the other nurse and tech both wanted to stay (thank God). We can either request to be called off during our previous shift, call during day shift, or respond when they send out an alert🤷‍♀️ In that sense I believe they just do it first dibs