mandated Nurse to patient ratios

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Specializes in CNA.

I am a prenursing student and I am writing (trying to write in the next three weeks ) a 6 page proposal paper about the need for mandating a limit of pts per nurse, depending on acuity levels of pts...I would like to get some feedback from you seasoned nurses, 1. How badly is this needed? 2. How difficult would it be to implement? 3. Personally what do you see as the biggest benefit of mandating ratios per pt acuity? i would also like to see if any of you might know of any research or website links to legitimate sources to help me find information and citations.

Thanks so much, in advance, for those who have time to help me out!!

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Mandated ratios are in effect in CA. I haven't met a single nurse yet who doesn't like it.

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I just got this flyer from California Nurses Association about state mandated ratios. They describe it in glowing terms. Even though I wonder why they sent it to me I find it interesting. They also tried to recruit me to act to bring their union into my hospital. Can't help them there, unemployed therefore I have no hospital

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Specializes in ER, Infusion therapy, Oncology.
I am a prenursing student and I am writing (trying to write in the next three weeks ) a 6 page proposal paper about the need for mandating a limit of pts per nurse, depending on acuity levels of pts...I would like to get some feedback from you seasoned nurses, 1. How badly is this needed?

Very badly. It is a safety issue.

2. How difficult would it be to implement?

It is a money issue which means it will be an uphilll battle. California is setting the standard and we can only hope that other states will follow their lead.

3. Personally what do you see as the biggest benefit of mandating ratios per pt acuity?

Patient safety. There is a big push by JCAHO to implement "rapid response teams" so hospitals can respond immeadiately to patients in crisis, but the nurse has to be able to see the changes in the patient first. Some of these changes can be subtle and if the nurse is overwhelmed by to many patients they can be missed. There is a very good article at www.msnbc.com/id/24002334/. It is about "failure to rescue" and it is estimated that 188,000 lives were lost between 2004-2006 because of it. The main cause cited is overworked and overwhelmed nurses.

i would also like to see if any of you might know of any research or website links to legitimate sources to help me find information and citations.

Thanks so much, in advance, for those who have time to help me out!!

Good luck with your article.

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Thanks to the California Nurses Association we do have mandated ratios here in CA. I can't imagine working in a state without. For your proposal, I would definitely check out all the research the CNA has conducted. They have a great research and education staff that would love to help you out.

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Specializes in CNA.

Thanks you guys ... CNA sounds lke a good jumping off point ,it seems a great place to start!

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Specializes in L&D,Lactation.

CNA web site is www.calnurses.org Very informative web site.

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The staffing ratios are for both LVN's and RN's except in the sub specialty areas. California, as does the rest of the country, has a nursing shortage. Hospital closings are on the rise. new york has the largest shortage in the country. The ratios ask that the hospital take acuity into account. it's not all black and white.

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