Need Help With Nurse-patient Ratio Legislation - You Can Make A Difference!!!

mercy31513 · Mar 6, 2004

below is the lettermarch 3, 2004dear sir/madam:i am writing to urge you to cosponsor s 991/hr 3656 the "registered nurse safe staffing act of 2003." this legislation seeks to ensure that patients receive safe, quality nursing care in hospitals and other health care settings.research demonstrates that when they are more registered nurses (rns), there are lower mortality rates, shorter lengths of stay, reduced costs and fewer complications. this bill requires the establishment of a staffing system that ensures a number of rns on each shift and in each unit of the hospital to ensure appropriate staffing levels for patient care.the bill also provides public reporting of staffing information. hospitals must post daily for each shift the number of licensed and unlicensed staff providing direct patient care, specifically noting the number of rns.the complexity and variability of today's hospitals necessitate that staffing patterns be determined at the hospital and unit level, with the input of the rns caring for patients at those institutions. i urge you to cosponsor this important piece of legislation. thank you,

mrs. frankie miles, rn

1178 lynch road

baxley, georgia 31513

RevBKPrince · Mar 8, 2004

Ok, but is anybody going to do anything about STNA/CNA to patient ratios? It's AWFULLY difficult to give the best care to patients when you have 15-18 during a day shift, as an STNA, and are required to bathe each resident daily, dress them, feed them, weigh them weekly, assist with therapy, talk to them. . . and care. It's unsafe, for them, AND for us. We need to focus on lowering MORE that just the RN/LPN:Patient Ratio. . . STNA/CNA may be the very scum of the nursing field, but. . .we're still here.

mercy31513 · Mar 8, 2004

I suggest nurses or medical personnel join labor unions. Not professional unions whose main concern is accredidation and advancement for nursing profession but just as in California, labor unions. Labor unions are concerned about work conditions, safety, justice, and management taking advantage of workers. Little do people realize but some managers are also blue collar workers. I don't know if Georgia has a labor union for nurses.

Repat · Mar 8, 2004

I saw a post in another thread from a CA RN. The hospitals are complying with the ratios, but they have let all the CNAs go. So, you are now an RN with 6 patients and no aide. Better? I don't think so! By the way, I have NEVER heard an RN even hint that a conscientious CNA is a "scum of the nursing field". I for one always let the CNAs know how much I appreciate them, and truly try to work as a team.

RevBKPrince · Mar 9, 2004

I would LOVE to work with you. I am a meticulous documenter -- as I've been accused of neglect several times. . . but I'm not neglecting my patients, as a matter of fact, I run myself ragged, stay on my lunch break, and stay after my shift to make sure my patients are taken care of. . . when I check or change a resident, bathe one, ANYTHING, I write down the time, and room/bed number. . . I was written up. . . for being meticulous about documentation -- apparently taking 5 seconds to write change 113B is too much wasted time.

I think I've probably worked with one nurse who respected nursing assistants. I've worked with several nurses, RN and LPN, and we're often accused of being lazy, lacking knowledge, and. . . just there for the money. Let me tell you, if I wanted to be lazy, I'd most definantly have chosed a different field. If I wanted to be stupid, I would have chosen another field -- as a direct care provider, I see the patient more than anybody -- if there's a status change, or new concerns, chances are I'll be the first to notice. . . and while I don't have the training to completely diagnose or treat patients, I'm somewhat well trained, at least, I think I am, to recognize basic issues that could lead to, or indicate other serious concerns (dehydration, non-elimination, lethargia. .) I thank you for respecting your nursing assistants, and wish that more nurses were like you -- I'm hoping that the nurses I have worked with are just a 'few bad apples. . .'

I saw a post in another thread from a CA RN. The hospitals are complying with the ratios, but they have let all the CNAs go. So, you are now an RN with 6 patients and no aide. Better? I don't think so! By the way, I have NEVER heard an RN even hint that a conscientious CNA is a "scum of the nursing field". I for one always let the CNAs know how much I appreciate them, and truly try to work as a team.

mercy31513 · Mar 10, 2004

It sounds like you all are a wonderful group of nurses and certified assistants. I too would be proud to work with you all and I hope the cohesiveness between patient care givers becomes stronger!