Nurses advocate for safe patient care

Legislative agenda includes staffing ratios, violence prevention

ALBANY, April 21, 2009 - Approximately 2,000 registered nurses and nursing students came to the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 21, for the annual Lobby Day sponsored by the New York State Nurses Association.

They spent the afternoon visiting their legislators and promoting several key pieces of legislation that will help promote patient safety and prevent an attrition of nurses that has created a prolonged shortage of nurses in New York State.

Top priorities on the nurses’ legislative agenda include:

Establishing safe nurse staffing ratios in hospitals (A2264/S3843) to set a standard for the amount of nursing care provided to every patient. Numerous studies have found that higher levels of nurse staffing result in fewer patient deaths and lower rates of complications.
Promoting educational advancement (A2079-A/S4051) by requiring RNs to earn bachelors degrees in nursing within 10 years of licensure. This measure will ensure that nurses are given the tools they need to practice effectively in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
Discouraging violence against nurses (A3103/S4018) by making it a felony to physically attack RNs or LPNs in the workplaces. Higher penalties already apply for assaults on EMS personnel, police officers, and firefighters.
Requiring safe patient handling programs (A2047-A/S3839) to prevent injuries to both nurses and patients. Back and neck injuries are a common reason for nurses leaving the profession before retirement age.

“We were excited by today’s turnout and encouraged by the response we received from legislators,” said Patricia Kane, RN, chair of the Nurses Association Council on Legislation. “Nurses recognize that, as the voice for patients in the healthcare system, they have a responsibility to promote legislation that will improve quality of care for everyone.”

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 36,000 members, it is the state's largest union and professional association for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

-30-