NRS 440VN Topic 4 DQ 2: Enhanced Nurses Licensure Compact,
Research legislation that has occurred within the last 5 years at the state or federal level as a result of nurse advocacy., Describe the legislation and what was it and what additional steps need to be taken to continue advocacy for this issue?
One example of recent legislation resulting from nurse advocacy is the Safe Staffing for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act, introduced in 2020 at the federal level in the United States. This legislation aims to address the issue of understaffing in hospitals, which has been linked to a number of negative outcomes for patients, including increased rates of hospital-acquired infections, adverse events, and higher rates of burnout among nurses.
The Safe Staffing for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act would require hospitals to have minimum staffing levels for registered nurses, based on patient acuity levels, in order to improve patient safety and quality of care. The legislation would also require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national safe staffing ratio for registered nurses in hospitals, based on recommendations from a panel of experts.
Despite the introduction of this legislation, additional steps need to be taken to continue advocacy for safe staffing levels in hospitals. Nurses, patient advocates, and other stakeholders need to continue to raise awareness about the importance of safe staffing levels, and the impact that understaffing has on patient outcomes. This can be done through grassroots advocacy efforts, such as letter writing campaigns, social media activism, and in-person meetings with legislators.
In addition, it is important for nurses to engage with policymakers and participate in the policymaking process by providing testimony and sharing their experiences on the front lines of patient care. By continuing to advocate for safe staffing levels and engaging in the policymaking process, nurses can help ensure that patients receive the high-quality care they need and deserve.