For instance, many studies have been able to prove that less nursing staff contributes to increased patient fatalities, nursing errors, length of stay, readmission rates, and infections (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2014). This indicates that there is a direct relationship between nursing staffing and patient care. Many of my colleagues get mandated for 16-hour shifts, which is not only unsafe, but also illegal in the state of New York. Although nurses can refuse these mandates, they also care for patients and realize that leaving a unit with 14 patients and one nurse is unsafe and unethical. As a result, they stay and work in unsafe conditions with a lack of sleep. This not only puts the facility, staff, and nurses in a bad situation, but also the patients we care for. How would you go about changing policy within your facility in regards to nursing shortage?
