National Nurses United

3 Dear Colleague, Today in California, RN-to-patient staffing ratios are the law, thanks to the determined, multi-year efforts of members of the California Nurses Association (CNA)/National Nurses United (NNU). Since the law went into effect in all California acute-care hospitals in 2004, there are nearly 130,000 additional actively licensed RNs in California, and staffing and patient outcomes have improved dramatically. CNA was the author, sponsor, and driving force behind the landmark law, which was signed in 1999. The hospital industry and its allies have tried repeatedly to overturn or weaken the law, but CNA/NNU members continue to successfully defend ratios. As elected leaders of NNU, we were extremely proud when a seminal 2010 University of Pennsylvania study showed that the California law saves thousands of patient lives; surgical units in New Jersey hospitals would have 14 percent fewer deaths and Pennsylvania 11 percent fewer deaths if they matched California's 1:5 ratios. Patients and nurses experience the effects of the sharp deterioration in staffing standards in hospitals across the country. We expect specific standards for clean air and water, limits on classroom sizes, and staffing ratios for airline, day care, and nursing home staff. Hospital patients are also entitled to minimum safety standards and public protection. The first victory came in 2004 when RNs in Arizona, supported by NNU, won their own 1:2 intensive care unit ratios. California's law is the first time that RN-to-patient ratios are mandated and enforceable throughout acute-care facilities. Nurses have also made gains through union contracts that create staffing protections. RNs across the country have taken inspiration from the California law and are working for mandated state ratios proposed by NNU. States where RNs are working to win ratio laws include Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas, and the District of Columbia. This brochure includes facts, statistics, and a research appendix to demonstrate how safe RN ratios enhance patient care while bringing significant cost savings. There is also a state guide to half-measure staffing legislation that currently exists. As registered nurses, we can broaden the victories won by California nurses and patients. Visit our website at www.NationalNursesUnited.org to become a part of our campaign to win mandated RN-to-patient ratios in every state and for every patient. Deborah Burger, RN; Karen Higgins, RN; Jean Ross, RN; co-presidents, NNU RN Staffing Ratios are Saving Lives and Bringing RNs Back to the Bedside NNU stands ready to help you bring ratios to your state

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