Staffing, in the hospital's own words

Washington Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: State Law and Hospitals' Postings

4343 nurse-to-patient ratio healthcare jobs are open in Washington today, 4343 of them for nurses. Read every night from the employers' own job boards.

Updated 9 Nov 2026, 09:24 UTC

What Washington law requires

Nurse staffing committee or plan (in effect from 2024)
Each Washington hospital must have a staffing committee, at least half nonsupervisory direct care nursing staff, that develops the hospital staffing plan.
“By January 1, 2024, each hospital shall establish a hospital staffing committee, either by creating a new committee or assigning the functions of the hospital staffing committee to an existing nurse staffing committee.” RCW 70.41.420(1) (source: RCW 70.41.420(1))
Limits on mandatory overtime
Health care facilities may not require covered employees to work overtime, except for unforeseeable emergent circumstances, prescheduled on-call time within limits and procedures in progress (covers hourly or collectively bargained employees in direct patient care at health care facilities, including nurses (definition
“No employee of a health care facility may be required to work overtime.” RCW 49.28.140 (source: RCW 49.28.140)

From Washington's own code or health department, read 9 Nov 2026. The ratios below are what each hospital's own posting states for its unit, and every state's law is on the ratio hub.

Ratio stated registered nurse and LPN jobs in Washington

The newest 40 of 43, newest first.

Travel RN Oncology — Seattle, WA — $2323 Est. Wkly - Seattle, WAARMStaffing · Seattle, WA · 1d ago1:3 to 1:5. “...experience in oncology. Prior experience managing a patient ratio of 1:3 to 1:5. Certifications/Licensure Current BLS certification. Chemotherapy...”$2,324/wk
Travel RN ER — Seattle, WA — $2442 Est. Wkly - Seattle, WAARMStaffing · Seattle, WA · 2d ago1:4. “...care using the EPIC charting system. Maintain a patient ratio of 1:4 during shifts. Required Experience Minimum of 2 years of experience in a general...”$2,443/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit - Puyallup, WACross Country Healthcare · Puyallup, WA · 2d ago1:2. “...required. Additional Information: Patient assignments may include a 1:2 ratio based on acuity. The role may involve caring for isolation and non-ambulatory...”$2,159–$2,371/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit - Tacoma, WACross Country Healthcare · Tacoma, WA · 3d ago1:2. “...Additional Information: Patient assignments typically have a 1:2 nurse-to-patient ratio. Patient populations include sepsis, pneumonia, chronic...”$2,293–$3,249/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit - Spokane, WACross Country Healthcare · Spokane, WA · 3d ago1:4 to 1:5. “...Additional Information: Expected patient ratios are approximately 1:4–5. The position supports progressive care, stepdown, and intermediate-care patients....”$2,258/wk
Travel RN MedSurg/Tele — Olympia, WA — $1966 Est. Wkly - Olympia, WAARMStaffing · Olympia, WA · 3d ago1:4 to 1:6. “...in charge nurse roles preferred. Experience with patient ratios of 1:4-6, depending on unit acuity. Certifications/Licensure Current RN license (compact...”$1,967/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Emergency Room - Puyallup, WACross Country Healthcare · Puyallup, WA · 3d ago1:4. “...Bremerton, or Union Gap, Washington. Patient ratios may range from 1:4 in fast-track areas to 1:6 in team-nurse assignments. Patient populations include...”$2,217–$2,374/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Labor And Delivery Department - Spokane, WACross Country Healthcare · Spokane, WA · 3d ago1:2. “...Patient ratios are typically 1:1 for high-risk patients and 1:2 under standard conditions. Couplet care is provided. Orientation typically consists...”$2,610–$2,834/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit - Auburn, WACross Country Healthcare · Auburn, WA · 3d ago1:4. “...or interventional radiology procedures. Patient assignment ratio is 1:4. The progressive care unit has 33 beds. Scrubs may be any color; navy blue is...”$2,290–$2,375/wk
Travel RN L&D — Omak, WA — $2753 Est. Wkly - Omak, WAARMStaffing · Omak, WA · 5d ago1:2. “...Hospital experience preferred. Experience with patient ratios of 1:2 in Labor and Delivery. Certifications/Licensure Current BLS and NRP certifications...”$2,754/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Step Down Unit - Silverdale, WACross Country Healthcare · Silverdale, WA · 5d ago1:4. “...and argatroban. Maintains a patient ratio of approximately 1:4. Floats to medical-surgical, telemetry, and other progressive care units as needed....”$2,371/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Emergency Room - Seattle, WACross Country Healthcare · Seattle, WA · 1w ago1:4. “...treated per day. Supports a typical nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4. May care for patients requiring insulin, cardiac, sedation, and other critical...”$1,897–$2,405/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Emergency Room - Tacoma, WACross Country Healthcare · Tacoma, WA · 1w ago1:4. “...acute coronary syndrome cases. Typical patient-to-nurse ratios are 3:1 to 4:1. Respiratory therapy, pharmacy, laboratory, intravenous therapy, and security...”$2,293–$3,249/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Emergency Room - Vancouver, WACross Country Healthcare · Vancouver, WA · 1w ago1:4. “...line experience Additional Information: Patient assignment ratio is 1:4. Patient population includes neonates, infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and...”$2,503/wk
Travel RN PCU — Edmonds, WA — $2008 Est. Wkly - Edmonds, WAARMStaffing · Edmonds, WA · 1w ago1:3. “...equipment. The unit includes a mix of IMCU and Telemetry beds, with 1:3 patient ratios in IMCU and 1:4 in Telemetry. Responsibilities Provide comprehensive...”$2,009/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit - Edmonds, WACross Country Healthcare · Edmonds, WA · 1w ago1:3. “...required. Additional Information: Patient ratios are approximately 1:3 for Intermediate Care Unit patients and 1:4 for telemetry patients. Clinical...”$1,851/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Telemetry - Silverdale, WACross Country Healthcare · Silverdale, WA · 1w ago1:4 to 1:5. “...and telemetry unit with typical nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:4 to 1:5. Responsibilities may include reading telemetry strips, managing heparin and...”$2,371/wk
Travel RN PCU — Olympia, WA — $2279 Est. Wkly - Olympia, WAARMStaffing · Olympia, WA · 1w ago1:4 to 1:6. “...population in various units. Maintain a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4-6, depending on unit acuity. May assume charge nurse responsibilities in small units....”$2,280/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Telemetry - Spokane, WACross Country Healthcare · Spokane, WA · 1w ago1:5. “...may be required. Additional Information: Expected patient ratio is 1:5. The position supports a designated stroke unit and includes care for neurology,...”$1,954–$3,162/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit - Tacoma, WACross Country Healthcare · Tacoma, WA · 1w ago1:4. “...pneumonia, orthopedic conditions, and stroke. Typical ratios are 1:4 in progressive care and 1:5–6 in medical-surgical assignments. Departmental support...”$2,293–$3,185/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit Neurological - Olympia, WACross Country Healthcare · Olympia, WA · 1w ago1:2. “...Information: The position supports a typical patient ratio of 1:2, with up to four downgraded patients when transfer orders are in place. Patient...”$2,135/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Renton, WACross Country Healthcare · Renton, WA · 1w ago1:1 to 1:3. “...has approximately 20 beds with typical nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:1 to 1:3 based on acuity and staffing. Electronic charting is used, and orientation...”$2,409/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Emergency Room - Olympia, WACross Country Healthcare · Olympia, WA · 1w ago1:4. “...and unit secretary teams. Patient ratios are approximately 1:4, and Epic experience is required. Benefits The benefits of taking a travel assignment...”$1,902–$2,676/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit - Olympia, WACross Country Healthcare · Olympia, WA · 1w ago1:4 to 1:6. “...settings; experience managing patient assignments with ratios of 1:4–6; experience supporting patients with cardiac, neurological, respiratory, renal, and...”$2,135–$2,964/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Yakima, WACross Country Healthcare · Yakima, WA · 1w ago1:1 to 1:3. “...and neonatal resuscitation equipment. Patient ratios range from 1:1 to 1:3 based on acuity. Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) care includes eat, sleep,...”$2,265/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Step Down Unit - Vancouver, WACross Country Healthcare · Vancouver, WA · 1w ago1:3. “...adult step-down patients with a typical nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:3. Experience with Epic electronic medical record documentation required. Proof of...”$2,158/wk
Travel RN L&D — Issaquah, WA — $2762 Est. Wkly - Issaquah, WAARMStaffing · Issaquah, WA · 1w ago1:1 to 1:3. “...low-risk antepartum, and transition nursery duties. Participate in a 1:1 to 1:3 patient ratio during shifts. Float to postpartum and possibly L&D at nearby...”$2,763/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Labor And Delivery Department - Issaquah, WACross Country Healthcare · Issaquah, WA · 1w ago1:1 to 1:3. “...and four triage rooms, with typical staffing ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:3. Benefits The benefits of taking a travel assignment with Cross Country...”$2,648–$3,784/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Telemetry - Spokane Valley, WACross Country Healthcare · Spokane Valley, WA · 1w ago1:5. “...facility. Patient assignments may include medical-surgical ratios of 1:5 and progressive care ratios of 1:3. Progressive care responsibilities exclude...”$2,285–$2,288/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit - Kennewick, WACross Country Healthcare · Kennewick, WA · 1w ago1:2. “...care for adult patients, with typical nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:2. Patient conditions include sepsis, respiratory conditions, some cardiac conditions,...”$2,424–$2,436/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Telemetry Medical Surgical Float - Seattle, WACross Country Healthcare · Seattle, WA · 2w ago1:6. “...in a telemetry medical-surgical float setting with approximately 1:6 patient ratios. Responsibilities may include caring for patients requiring low-dose...”$2,296/wk
Travel RN, NICU - Spokane, WAARMStaffing · Spokane, WA · 2w ago1:1 to 1:3. “...experience in an NICU setting Experience managing a patient ratio of 1:1 to 1:3 Certifications/Licensure Current RN license (Compact license preferred) BLS...”$2,269/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Emergency Room - Silverdale, WACross Country Healthcare · Silverdale, WA · 2w ago1:3. “...170–200 patients per day, with typical nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:3 and up to 1:4 for lower-acuity assignments. Clinical responsibilities may include...”$2,371/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit - Federal Way, WACross Country Healthcare · Federal Way, WA · 2w ago1:3 to 1:4. “...The 24-bed unit maintains typical nurse-to-patient ratios of 1:3–4 and cares for patients with pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome,...”$2,407/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit - Lakewood, WACross Country Healthcare · Lakewood, WA · 2w ago1:2. “...Information: The intensive care unit typically maintains a 1:2 nurse-to-patient ratio. The role includes caring for general medical and surgical...”$2,402/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit Cardiovascular - Tacoma, WACross Country Healthcare · Tacoma, WA · 2w ago1:1 to 1:2. “...common critical care diagnoses. Typical nurse-to-patient ratios are 1:1 or 1:2 in intensive care and 1:3 in progressive care. An intensivist or hospitalist...”$2,402/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Progressive Care Unit - Spokane Valley, WACross Country Healthcare · Spokane Valley, WA · 2w ago1:3. “...may include a 1:5 ratio for medical-surgical patients and a 1:3 ratio for progressive care patients. Clinical responsibilities include management of...”$2,360–$2,362/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit - Olympia, WACross Country Healthcare · Olympia, WA · 2w ago1:2. “...access; and ability to care for intensive care patients at a 1:2 ratio and progressive care patients at a 1:4 ratio. Preferred Qualifications:...”$2,342/wk
Travel Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit - Silverdale, WACross Country Healthcare · Silverdale, WA · 2w ago1:1 to 1:4. “...care patients with typical nurse-to-patient ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:4 based on acuity. Responsibilities may include management of ventilated...”$2,371/wk
Travel RN, NICU - Edmonds, WAARMStaffing · Edmonds, WA · 2w ago1:2. “...to newborns and infants. Maintain appropriate patient ratios of 1:2. Required Experience / Certifications / Licensure Active Washington State RN license....”$2,252/wk

Employers hiring for nurse-to-patient ratio jobs in Washington

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Frequently asked questions

How many nurse-to-patient ratio healthcare jobs are open in Washington?

43 today: 43 registered nurse and LPN jobs.

How much do nurse-to-patient ratio nurses make in Washington?

Too few nurse-to-patient ratio nursing jobs in Washington state an hourly rate for a figure; each job here shows the pay its posting states.

Does Washington have a nurse-to-patient ratio law?

Not fixed ratios: Each Washington hospital must have a staffing committee, at least half nonsupervisory direct care nursing staff, that develops the hospital staffing plan. (RCW 70.41.420(1)) The law's own words are on this page.

Can a hospital in Washington make nurses work mandatory overtime?

Washington law limits it: Health care facilities may not require covered employees to work overtime, except for unforeseeable emergent circumstances, prescheduled on-call time within limits and procedures in progress (covers hourly or collectively bargained employees in direct patient care at health care facilities, including nurses (definition (RCW 49.28.140) The law's own words are on this page.

Nurse-to-Patient Ratios in every state →Healthcare jobs in Washington →

Ratio stated jobs in other states