Staffing Ratios and a big reason that they'll not likely happen soon

klone, MSN, RN · May 10, 2023

So, I work for a large hospital network in Minneapolis (as I mentioned in my email above) that has a vested interested in this legislation (as does every hospital in MN). Yesterday I had a meeting with the woman whose job is essentially the hospital lobbyist at our state capitol. And she informed us that it's very likely that this legislation will pass, in spite of Mayo's blackmail attempt. Right now in MN, we are in the unique position of having a "Blue Trifecta" - our state house, senate, and governor are all DFL. Since this bill was introduced by BOTH the house and the senate (they have almost identical bills), it would be a HUGE black eye on the party if it didn't pass, or was forced to go into special session. She said that we will likely know before 5/22, when our legislative session ends.

Right now the DFL is furiously trying to pass as many bills through as possible while we have control of all three. On the table is 20 weeks of paid parental leave for all MN citizens, legalization of recreational marijuana, in addition to the aforementioned "Keeping Nurses At The Bedside" act (obv there are a bunch more, but these are biggies).

Edited to add: I sent a copy of that email I posted above to our Governor, our Lt Governor, as well as my representatives in the senate and house.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · May 10, 2023

Althea McLeish said:

This article came across my LinkedIn feed last week, and I was really surprised at the position taken by the Mayo Clinic.

Definitely something to keep an eye on.

I'm not surprised by a facility taking the position against it, as it eats into their bottom line. All facilities are in business for profit. Profit vs nonprofit status is just election of divestment of those profits. I was just disappointed that this was Mayo, they used to have a darling reputation. Not do much now

No Stars In My Eyes, LPN · May 11, 2023

Automated nursing? Wouldn't you just love to have a robotic arm hold your head while you are throwing up? How about a machine that beeps at you over and over: "Someone will be in to see you in just a minute." Or one that aims to give you an injection in the buttocks that misses the mark and gets your medicine in the pillow under your knees? And then charts it as being given, so you have to wait 4 more hours for pain relief? Ever try to argue with a robot?

Jeesh!

klone, MSN, RN · May 12, 2023

The Mayo nurses are NOT happy. While MNA had to strike to get a 7% wage increase, the Mayo CEO got a 27% raise last year, bringing his compensation to $3.5 million/year.

ketamineNchaos, CRNA · May 12, 2023

Hopeful things will change one day. I've worked both with and without ratios, and my anecdotal experience has been that the difference in not just safety, but provider mental health, job satisfaction, and longevity is dramatic.

mtmkjr, BSN · Jun 3, 2023

Billions of dollars in investments planned, but fighting legislation to invest in their nursing force. Hmmm.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Jun 3, 2023

mtmkjr said:

Billions of dollars in investments planned, but fighting legislation to invest in their nursing force. Hmmm.

Yep, nurses weren't likely going to benefit from those "investments "

ForeverYoung018 · Oct 18, 2023

In my 10 years as a bedside RN, this is by far the worst staffing shortage I have ever seen. I work nights where the majority of newer nurses are placed. The hospital decided to reduce our staffing grid by 1 RN on nights. My night shift crew and I felt very unsupported when voicing our concerns. We were told, "it will get better." However, every time we are sold the "it will get better" line, it only gets worse. I work on a specialty unit where there was hardly any turn over prior to Covid. Now, we are experiencing just as bad of nurse/CNA turnover as a med-surg unit. I don't know how long I can continue to do this. Every Thursday-Sunday, we are forced to do what's called "critical/secondary staffing" where we are working with the minimum amount of nurses. However, sometimes we are forced to work under our "critical" staffing grid to float nurses to other units of the hospital. This is so unsafe and I'm not sure how long nurses can continue to do this. Something has got to give.