IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATES
The CNA likes to say the nurse:patient ratios have nurses flocking to California because of this landmark law. In fact, they are using this as their platform to convince nurses in other states to join the NNOC/CNA. Read the information below and see if what they are saying makes sense.
We have said all along that the nurse:patient ratios are not realistic AT ALL TIMES. It's a fact and nothing they say or promise will change that overnight. It is important for us to remember that each hospital is different and has unique problems that may hinder total compliance at all times. The CNA does not send a bus full of nurses to drive up and save the day for you when you are short staffed. So we say again, the nurse:patient ratios are not realistic AT ALL TIMES.
Based on staffing availability and budget problems, some hospitals may find that mandated set numbers are not possible to fill. This causes staff dissatisfaction and gives new nurses entering the field unrealistic expectations for life in the REAL nursing world. We agree that the ratios are good and life is great if they are met but that is not always possible as the study below clearly points out.
(The following is an older study now but many points remain valid.)
Thanks to Kristine Yahn and Californians for Patient Care
In the first statewide study of its kind, an analysis of 24 California regions shows that the ratio of RN jobs (actual positions filled) per 100,000 population is lower in all but two regions than the U.S. average, according to the California Institute for Nursing and Health Care (CINHC). Half of the areas earned letter grades of D or F. The study was commissioned by CINHC and conducted by researchers from the VA Long Beach Healthcare System and the School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
"Though California is taking steps to increase the capacity of its nursing schools and looking at long-term solutions to the nursing shortage," said Deloras Jones, RN, MSN, executive director of CINHC, "this study demonstrates that California is lagging behind the nation. The quality of our health care system is highly dependant on nurses and building capacity in California's schools of nursing is the state's most urgent nursing workforce need."
The national average number of RN jobs per 100,000 was 787. The California average RN job ratio was 622. All California P/MSAs fell below the national average with the exception of the Redding and San Francisco areas. Five P/MSAs received F's, indicating a ratio more than 320 RN jobs per capita fewer than that of the nation. The most common grade for California is D received by 8 out of 24 P/MSAs. See report here California Registered Nurse Regional Report Card
UC Davis Medical Center loses magnet status
Hospital official says nurse union's militancy affected on-site review.
Another reason we don't want to be in this union.
What did that accomplish? This is a very good example of how unprofessional activity can have very negative results. Nothing positive and a big disappointment for many!
This story was featured on January 20, 2006 in the Sacramento Bee
