Nurses Push Legislation to Federalize Staffing Levels

Monday, June 01, 2009

UCS News Service- Leaders and members of the United America Nurses (UAN), AFL-CIO, have pledged to redouble their efforts to secure passage of landmark legislation that would make federal RN staffing rations the law of the land. The legislation is The Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 2273), sponsored by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) It would amend the Public Health Service Act to require that all hospitals develop and implement staffing plans that must meet newly established minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient rations, adjust staffing levels based on the condition of patients and other factors an ensure quality care and patient safety. UAN President Ann Converso said a federal law is needed to ensure that there are enough RNs on staff. “Nurses and patients do not need another hospital committee, task force or working group to discuss the problem. If hospitals could be trusted to do the right think without a law, they would have already done so. We need federal legislation to make sure that there is a minimum, basic level of RN care provided no matter where you go.” The UAN said studies have shown patient care suffers when there is not enough RNs at the bedside. The union says lac of nurses at the bedside is, in turn, contributing to a nurse staffing crisis as more and more RNs choose less stressful and dangerous career paths. Currently, there is no federal law or standard requiring a minimum level of RN staffing. One state, California, has passed an RN staffing ratio law. The United American Nurse, AFL-CIO, represents nurses across the country in state nurses associations, collective bargaining programs and independent unions.