Re: Letter to Congress: ANA "Safe Staffing Saves Lives" campaign
I too support this bill and am in the process of writing several of my legislators. I also posted a request to gather stories about what it has been like to work with high patient ratios. I want to use some of these stories to emphasize the need for safe nurse patient ratios. I've only gotten 2 responses and I've been deeply disappointed.
I've read everyone's responses here and I'm very surprised at some of the discussion. Don't you all want a safer work environment? Don't you want to provide the best care possible? Why are we picking apart wording and complaining about what's not in the bill. Some of these things already have their own bills. We are getting off track. Nurses are the largest healthcare professional group and numbers mean power. We need to ban together and fight for safe ratios. I've been a nurse for 14 years and I was very tired of running around the entire shift trying to care for as many as 10 patients at times. We all now that each patient comes with family members that also take up your time. Not to mention juggling doctors, labs, radiology, OR etc etc. for each patient and if one goes bad forget it...the rest might be neglected, heaven help you if 2 go bad at the same time (I've had that happen).
Some of you mentioned California and their ratio law. I currently work in California. This took a long time to implement and we are still working out the kinks but it is sooo much better. I can actually do med pass, treatments etc. on a timely bases, I can spend quality time with my patients and their families. I've been able to see early signs of patients deteriorating and have been able to intervene before things went bad. I'm able to get off work on time, take lunch and yes even go to the bathroom
. I feel like I can breathe and I don't dread going to work. I'm not saying everyday is perfect but its about 95% better.
This bill is a start. We can always ask for amendments if needed. Instead of being picky about wording and worrying about which group (ANA, CNA SEIU) is backing this bill and their true motives...do this for you! Nursing is hard back breaking work and the new generations are being turned off by what they see us go through now. If we implement safe ratios it can indeed help with the nursing shortage. California is already seeing more nurses come here to work and more students going into nursing.
If you don't like this bill suggest a bill that you do like and write your representatives. I'm not hearing that here. There's a lot of critisim but I'm not hearing solutions. Lets work together to make nursing safer not only for ourselves but for our patients as well. (sorry this is so long...just really suprised and disappointed).
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