"You all have a story, each and every one of you," state Rep. Patti Fritz, DFL-Faribault and a licenses practical nurse, told the crowd at a noon rally. "You need to tell that story."
One of those telling her story was Erin Peterson, a registered nurse with five years' experience who described the difficulties of working in an intensive care unit as patient loads increase – but staffing doesn't.
"We still try our hardest, every shift, every hour, to provide good patient care" but it takes a toll, she said. "My peers in nursing are burning out faster than ever."
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| Student nurses from Gustavus Adolphus College took part in Tuesday's rally. |
The Minnesota Nurses Association, which organized the "Code Red for Care" rally, is urging passage of the Staffing for Patient Safety Bill (HF3042 / SF2742).
The legislation, which has bipartisan support, requires all Minnesota hospitals to adhere to maximum patient assignment limits and incorporate clinical nursing judgment in implementing staffing plans.
As a condition of licensure, hospitals must establish staffing plans that include direct input from front line nurses and publicly post and report those plans to the Minnesota Department of Health.
The proposed legislation follows the release of extensive research and reports that clearly demonstrate that adequate RN staffing produces dramatic cuts in patient mortality, leads to reduced hospital costs and patient lengths of stay, prevents medical errors and helps retain and recruit nurses to the bedside.
"Reforming the health care system is a high priority in the 2008 legislative session and members of the Minnesota Nurses Association are delivering a high touch/high impact solution designed to reduce grief, suffering and cost," said MNA President Linda Slattengren.
After Tuesday's rally, some 1,500 nurses fanned out across the Capitol to meet with legislators and attend hearings on the legislation.
For more information
See the MNA website, www.mnnurses.org
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Molly Brom said she sees the effects of understaffing every day in her work with mothers and newborns at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul.
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