What can I actually do about safe-staffing levels? Resources?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello all!

I am sure this has been asked time and time again, but here it goes.

I am a LPN and have worked in LTC for 6 years. From the unsafe staffing levels, high patient to nurse ratios, and constant back to back mandating, I am exhausted. (Of course there is more issues, but at the present time I want to focus on these above).

I have recently left LTC for private duty. But my heart still isn't settled because I just cannot shake that something needs to be done! Nurses - great nurses - are leaving because of these reasons.

I know this is a long shot, but I am really wanting to know who can be contacted in regards to the staffing levels? Even if I do not make a difference, I want to at least know I tried. I am ashamed to admit it, but I do not know much about local lawmakers so if someone could point me in the right direction of the title of who to contact, I would appreciate it! I could then search who is it in that position in my local areas and contact them.

I will make phone calls, write letters, e-mails, or even go in person.

The states I work in are PA and WV.

Thank you very much!

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Specializes in retired LTC.
... Nurses - great nurses - are leaving because of these reasons.

You didn't finish the sentence - "but for all the nurses leaving, the line to replace them curls around the bldg. Just ready & willing to replace them!!"QUOTE]

It is admirable that you wish to make some kind of impact, but sadly, I doubt you ever will, or will any other ONE nurse. One could say that nurses are "a dime a dozen". But I'd more likely say that they are "a quarter a gross (144)". As long as there is such an uneven supply and demand in nsg, the healthcare industry's head honchos/bean counters will have the upper the hand and nsg is not on their list of causes to champion.

You need someone like Jimmy Kimmel or AARP to really catch the public's attn and then attract legislators to implement change. And that's a lot to ask. There's a lot of opposition out there which is super happy to keep the status quo. And it's very costly and time consuming.

If you want to become active, there are specialty nsg organizations like ANA which have politically active committees. Perhaps that might be something you'd like to explore. Reach out to a local legislator, one who might be a physician also. Perhaps a local TV station or newspaper might like a human interest story from a working nurse's POV which might be informative (but hope she doesn't get fired in the cause!).

Just some thoughts ...

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Shockingly, Google your state DADs guidelines on staffing ratios

& cms.gov.........you will find a very vague answer, as facility perceives to meet patient needs.....

And facility mgt. is concerned about bottom line.......

Now let a reportable incident happen, as resident falls and sustains a fracture....

( has to be reported to state)

State nurse comes to investigate, don't be surprised if they cite neglant resident monitoring, due to inadequate staffing.....but not probably see them specify a ratio number."

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Do those states have something like a "safe harbor" form that nurses could complete for documentation prior to accepting a shift they believe is not appropriate?

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

One thing that works if used consistently:

Get every difficult-to-manage, whiny, needy patient and family spoken with approximately like this:

- we are SO MUCH caring about your mom

- we could do SO MUCH more for her

- but we are just spread so thin....

- please, please, when you get that survey/speak with someone after discharge/put on your Google review... TELL THEM THAT THEY GOT TO GET MORE NURSES!!

(add liberal amount of drama as needed)

If all nurses do it, it tends to work eventually)

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
Do those states have something like a "safe harbor" form that nurses could complete for documentation prior to accepting a shift they believe is not appropriate?

In Texas, yes.......LTC/SNF don't want them done, as they have to be shown to state at annual inspection, for next FIVE years, as a prior DON I threatened to file safe harbor, if administration, did not grant me improved staffing, surprisingly they listened.....

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Nurses are trying to do something about the nurse-patient ratios and staffing issue.

Read these articles to see what many nurses are discussing.

Mandated Nurse-Patient Ratios

Male Nurse Disgusted by Female Nurses

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