You find it varies hugely from workplace to workplace Katy. When I worked in ITU the HCA's were only used to stock shelves and help turn patients. Where I work now, HCA's do most patient care, simple dressings, blood pressures, making beds, some paperwork.
As a nurse, I do drug rounds for usually around 12/13 patients 2-3 times daily. Any other medications patients require (anti sickness and pain relief mainly) I am responsible for getting checking with another trained member, and giving. We usually have patients on infusions which require hourly checking. Many patients also need their urine outputs and observations checking hourly. Out of my 12/13 patients, there are usually at least 3 which require all care, turning, washing toileting. There will be others who require commodes. Then there will be patients who go off the ward for proceedures, may require an escort. yesterday i was unable to go - or else there would be one staff nurse alone on the ward to care for 25 patients.
On my ward a lot of patients aren't able to eat, they are fed through a tube in their stomach. These require regular flushing and putting up/taking down of feeds. Medications also need to be dissolved and placed down these tubes. Then there are also patients who require help to eat normally.
Every day the doctors do a ward round, following this all that has been said needs to be documented and any changes (removal of drains, tubes, lines mainly, or referral to other professionals) actioned.
paperwork is time consuming, at least three pages of forms need to be completed a day for all patients. If there has been anything untoward, the amount of writing required can easily amount to 3 sides of A4.
I may also be required to take heart readings, take bloods, insert venflons and check blood/infective results.
handovers need to be given to physio's daily for their input. Social workers and OT's need to be contacted and we have meetings on the ward where all patients are discussed and their needs assessed. The dietician comes to the ward most days and will often need our input to aid her decisions over patients nutritional input.
On the computer daily we have to record every patients dependancy, also work out their estimated discharge.
When patients are discharged we have to liase with the community nurses to aid the patients with dressing changes etc. We also have to arrange their tablets to take away, how they are going to get home, as well as all the checks that take place to ensure the patient is suitable to go home. If the patient is palliatve then discharge becomes very complicated, with 3 or 4 lengthy forms needing to be completed and lots of health professionals to liase with.
The nurse in charge also has to keep the bed manager updated with any discharges and then accept new admissions, which likewise require huge amounts of paperwork. Bedspaces need to be cleaned, observations taken, weights, legs measured... you get the gist!
The nurse in charge is also responsible for ensuring there is sufficient staff for subsequent shifts, liasing with bank staff, trying to fill shifts and then frantic calls to colleagues to see if 'they fancy working?!'
Then there is the time taken talking to patients, advising, listening and trying to reassure when possible. Likewise for relatives. Acting as their advocate and trying at all times to act in their interest.
There is loads I am sure I have missed but you did ask and I do love talking about my job!