Here is where you can be heard. ANA has all the emails set up and you just fill out the form and it gets sent to your representatives. It's a start.
You can edit your message. I added that nurses need to be protected from administration for expressing concerns about patient safety. I think that is very important. Nurses also need to be protected if they feel it is unsafe.
I sent that email on March 16th and finally got a response back from my rep. Here's what she thinks about safe staffing...
"While I appreciate the goal of H.R. 4138, I think we should first focus on assuring that we have enough nurses to fill all of the open and available positions before we start mandating staffing levels and fining hospitals that cannot find nurses to fill available positions"
Hmmm. So let's keep the unsafe staffing for now. Pt safety can wait...
I sent that email on March 16th and finally got a response back from my rep. Here's what she thinks about safe staffing...
While I appreciate the goal of H.R. 4138, I think we should first focus on assuring that we have enough nurses to fill all of the open and available positions before we start mandating staffing levels and fining hospitals that cannot find nurses to fill available positions
Arrgh!! They just don't get it. We have GOT to get the word out that there really is no shortage of registered nurses, just a shortage of registered nurses that are willing to work under the current conditions. The conditions have to change or there will ALWAYS be a shortage.
Ok, so either I've missed something here or y'all have the same rep. or hospital lobbyists have sent a form letter to the reps...how nice
it's funny because in my letter I mentioned about the abundance of RNs refusing to work at the bedside due to conditions and labeled myself as one contributing to the shortage, so if I get the same response I'll know it's a form letter. I'm sacrificing alot of money, hours of commute time (which includes gas), but I know my license is very safe until I can complete this NP program.
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Ok, so either I've missed something here or y'all have the same rep. or hospital lobbyists have sent a form letter to the reps...how nice
it's funny because in my letter I mentioned about the abundance of RNs refusing to work at the bedside due to conditions and labeled myself as one contributing to the shortage, so if I get the same response I'll know it's a form letter. I'm sacrificing alot of money, hours of commute time (which includes gas), but I know my license is very safe until I can complete this NP program.
That's exactly what my rep said too! Weird ... like you said, did they all receive a form letter that they could send to their constituents? grrreeeeatttt....
That's exactly what my rep said too! Weird ... like you said, did they all receive a form letter that they could send to their constituents? grrreeeeatttt....
the irony of it all if you think about it...many of us sent them a form letter (I know some sent an original and some made a few changes, but probably not a majority); and now our form letter is addressed with a form letter.
sent mine & also sent to friends so they can participate.....we need all the voices we can get!
i wanted to ask a question what if a med error occured because you were orientating with a nurse and it was your first day and you get suspended for three days
i wanted to ask a question what if a med error occured because you were orientating with a nurse and it was your first dayas a new nurse what should you do. i can't sleep i am worried because i became a nurse to save lifes not harm someone.
i wanted to ask a question what if a med error occured because you were orientating with a nurse and it was your first dayas a new nurse what should you do. i can't sleep i am worried because i became a nurse to save lifes not harm someone.
The ANA has been working for years to increase nurse staffing. The organization hasn't had much success with these forms so far. They are not viewed as a politically powerful organization in Washington, either. The way toward better staffing isn't going to happen through nurses, politicians, lobbyists, fed gov't, etc. It is going to happen when the PATIENT demands better care. Encourage your PATIENTS to write a letter to the hospital if they have staffing concerns and write a letter to the Editor of the paper. Be up front and honest about the shortage with them, if they ask you about it. You are the messenger, they are the CHANGERS. I've reached this conclusion after 26 years in healthcare.
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
i wanted to ask a question what if a med error occured because you were orientating with a nurse and it was your first dayas a new nurse what should you do. i can't sleep i am worried because i became a nurse to save lifes not harm someone.
Hi Jump rope!
We all make mistakes, especially in the beginning. Not to excuse it, just so you know you are not alone in that you are human!
The main points are 1) was the doctor notified and measures taken to assure no harm was done?
and 2) did you learn from the experience?
Don't write yourself off. Just learn from it and move on. Good luck!
Did my thing. Took the survey. Received letter from my senator stating:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about S. 7 3 , the "Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 200 7 ." It is good to hea r from you.
I agree with you that there is a critical shortage of registered nurses in the United States , and as a result there may be unsafe staffing levels in hospitals. It is imperative that the nurse to patient ratio is low enough to ensure that patients receive safe, quality nursing care.
S. 7 3 was introduced on January 4, 200 7 , and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. This bill would require hospitals to adopt and implement a staffing system that ensures a number of registered nurses to be pres ent at all times and in all locations at the hospital to: ensure appropriate staffing levels for patient care; provide for reporting and release to the public certain staff information; complete recordkeeping, data collection, and evaluation requirements for hospitals; and provide whistleblower protections. I support and understand the vital need for proper staffing practices that ensure patients access to the best care available.
:yeah:
cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN
4,106 Posts
That's what I told her in my response back....They will never get it.