As a registered nurse of 20 years, I am writing in support of voting “yes” on Ballot Measure 1. I have spent 12 years of my career as a staff nurse in hospitals, 10 of them at our community hospital.
I was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, and that nursing school conducted the critical research on staffing ratios. The conclusion was ratios limiting the number of patients that nurses care for leads to reduced morbidity and mortality. It is critical that health care managers and executives put evidenced-based patient care ahead of their fears around cost or wait time.
Yes, there are likely to be difficulties when adapting to this model, but forward-looking managers and executives should work toward improved outcomes, rather than broadcasting fears based entirely on speculation. Furthermore, physicians opining on nurses’ work should join us in support of quality care rather than additional fear mongering.
Health care consumers can only benefit by having a nurse who is better able to focus on individual patient needs. Join me in voting “yes” on 1.
Susan Rees, RN
Florence