The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73932

Cheryl L. Johnson, RN, United American Nurses, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 100 West, Washington, DC 20024, 202-651-7129, cheryllj@umich.edu

The severity of the RN safe staffing crisis is well known to nurses and a major concern of the American public. Registered nurses experience staffing shortages every day, often on every shift, and know firsthand the dangers this poses to safe patient care. In addition, recently published research demonstrates the degree to which safe patient care is compromised once RN-patient ratios exceed 1:4 levels. Solutions to this crisis include national RN-to-patient staffing ratio legislation.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the severity of the crisis
• Educate about real RN experience and how patient care is compromised
• Identify necessary solutions

Related Web page: www.nursingworld.org/uan

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: United American Nurses, AFL-CIO
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.