As predicted by many, California's nurse-to-patient ratio law (also known as AB394) may not go into effect after all. Bowing to the serve nursing shortage in the State and at the suggestion of both the hospital industry and the union (SEIU) possible changes include:
-- inclusion of LVN's and RT's to replace RN's in filling the ratios
-- higher ratios (more patients per nurse) for the ER and
psychiatric units
-- different ratios for night shifts than for days
-- delays in implementations
The State's other nursing union (CNA) is fight these changes.
Also, the CNA and SEIU instead of joining forces to unionize the State's medical personnel, are at each other's throats to see which will get the bigger share of the nurses' $$$$$$$$. Stay tuned for more news on this on-going soap opera.