An Open Letter to the President of the United States from America's RNs

skicheryl · Nov 13, 2004

I also signed the petition. Our current healthcare system in the U.S. is unsustainable and is only going to get worse until some major changes are implemented. I wish the ANA could push the needed changes through but I'm willing to work with whatever organization is able to help fix our broken system.

Cheryl

rngreenhorn · Nov 13, 2004

Thanks but no thanks...

The rhetoric of this open letter sounds wonderful.... In a perfect world.

I have a problem with the statement "take immediate action to assure that all Americans have access to needed medical care based on a single standard of care for all." Yes, this sounds nice, but also sounds a little like socialized medicine. Google "socialized medicine" and you will be hard pressed to find good outcomes.

I agree that the health care system could use an overhall, but I don't think more governmental bureaucracy is the answer. I work my *** off, and quite frankly, get a little cranky when I see the "frequent flyers" coming back for yet another hospital visit because he refuses to take care of his own health issues. This person is not paying the hospital bill... so who picks up the bill? Me and all others working and paying taxes and the hospitals. Lets not forget the government already has many programs for the disadvantaged.

Also, I think it is the individual hospitals, health care providers and local nursing organizations responsibility to set standards for nurse patient ratio, not the government. If a nurse does not want to work for a hospital with 10 to 1 ratios, she should not.

And when I googled "NNOC" the first three pages were web sites for National Network of Cuba." So, who exactly is this NNOC?

Last but not least... I am not a heartless person. I realize there are many problems with our health care system, but more government interference is not the answer.

allnurses Guide · Nov 13, 2004

Well said rngreenhorn.

I too fail to see how the government should even be responsible for healthcare in the first place. This mess was a long time in the making and will take a long time to fix . . .if ever.

And truly, everyone has access to healthcare. Just walk into any ER. No one bars the door.

steph

pickledpepperRN · Nov 13, 2004

Nursing not Cuba:

http://www.nnoc.net/

And from the "Ratio regulations"

The language requiring staffing for care not requiring a licensed nurse to be included in the acuity system is bolded. At my hospital we planned ahead to educate our management to this. We complain in writing and use our contract provisions to force management to answer our committee in writing. Then when they write they are committed to following the law we hold them to it. As you know nursing is never easy. At least we have time to give excellent individualized care.

http://www.dhs.ca.gov/lnc/pubnotice...lation_Text.pdf

Statement of Reasons explaining the new regulations:

http://www.dhs.ca.gov/lnc/pubnotice...-37-01_FSOR.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions:

http://www.dhs.ca.gov/lnc/pubnotice...R-37-01_FAQ.pdf

70217. Nursing Service Staff.

(a) Hospitals shall provide staffing by licensed nurses, within the scope of their licensure in accordance with the following nurse-to-patient ratios. Licensed nurse means a registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse and, in psychiatric units only, a licensed psychiatric technician. Staffing for care not requiring a licensed nurse is not included within these ratios and shall be determined pursuant to the patient classification system.

No hospital shall assign a licensed nurse to a nursing unit or clinical area unless that hospital determines that the licensed nurse has demonstrated current competence in providing care in that area, and has also received orientation to that hospital's clinical area sufficient to provide competent care to patients in that area. The policies and procedures of the hospital shall contain the hospital's criteria for making this determination.

Licensed nurse-to-patient ratios represent the maximum number of patients that shall be assigned to one licensed nurse at any one time. "Assigned" means the licensed nurse has responsibility for the provision of care to a particular patient within his/her scope of practice. There shall be no averaging of the number of patients and the total number of licensed nurses on the unit during any one shift nor over any period of time. Only licensed nurses providing direct patient care shall be included in the ratios...

rngreenhorn · Nov 13, 2004

Exactly my point... the government is involved and it is still all messed up!! Imagine that?

pickledpepperRN · Nov 13, 2004

Yes. People run red lights too.

I have a drivers license and a nurses license. Health care IS heavily regulated. I for one want people arrested who practice medicine or nursing without a license.

Sometimes regulations are needed.

I believe lives have been saved on my unit, even more in our hospital since the ratios.

Unfortunately some hospital administrations break the law, just like drunk drivers and those who speed through red lights.

Of course if the nurses contunue to accept unsafe assignments it will continue.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2004

Dear Mr President

Do the country a favor

Please Resign

Shell5 · Jan 4, 2005

I signed the petition

ktwlpn, LPN · Jan 4, 2005

An Open Letter to the President of the United States from America's RNs
http://www.nnoc.net/petition.html

as an LPN I am not represented by the entity that drafted that petition.....