- Published: November 17, 2021
- Updated: November 17, 2021
- University / College: University of Pittsburgh
- Level: Intermediate School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 44
Dear Senator Mr. Richard Durbin, As a constituent and admirer of yours, I urge you to support the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act, which will optimize the well-being of the patients and the professional inputs of the nurses. The introduction of the Act to Congress in 2003 and the subsequent reintroductions have not yet progressed to the passing of the law, and this has given rise to many apprehensions and thwarted many hopes in the health care field.
The development and practice of safe and workable nurse staffing patterns and schedules is the need of the hour just because many hospitals face insufficient nurse staffing. The link between the quality of nursing care and patient comfort is a well-established fact. Owing to shortage in nursing staff, the patients are often made to suffer. For every patient added to the routine work load of staff nurses, the risk of death emerging out of common medical procedures increases by 7%, and when a staff registered nurse has eight (or so) patients more than foreseen by his/her working capacity, the risk of death is found to increase by 30%.
Studies have proven that when there are more staff registered nurses in a health care unit, the rate of mortality is reduced, the patients are able to quit hospital early, and the health care costs and medical complications are much lowered. As a nurse is the closest link of a patient to healing, the role of a nurse can be crucial and decisive in a life and death situation. It is the unbearable workload that compels a nurse to leave the bedside of a patient.
There is an urgent need to throw complacency behind and act now, as otherwise the public health consequences could be alarming. I specifically request you to:
1. Support the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act.
2. Use your great debating abilities to make this Act a success in the Congress.
Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]