The Michigan Nurses Association announced more than 500 Michigan nurses and nursing students protested at the Capitol last week in support of legislation for staffing ratios and healthcare worker safety.
At the protest, nurses and students urged state lawmakers to support newly introduced legislation, called the Safe Patient Care Act, that would require hospitals to incorporate minimum patient-to-nurse ratios and ban mandatory overtime for nurses. According to the MNA, the act is designed to protect nurses while maintaining patient safety. The proposal is sponsored by Rep. Jon Switalski, (D-Warren) and Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor).
In addition to the Safe Patient Care Act, the protest called for other legislation intended to protect healthcare workers, including a law to increase penalties on those who assault healthcare professionals while they perform patient care.
At the protest, nurses and students urged state lawmakers to support newly introduced legislation, called the Safe Patient Care Act, that would require hospitals to incorporate minimum patient-to-nurse ratios and ban mandatory overtime for nurses. According to the MNA, the act is designed to protect nurses while maintaining patient safety. The proposal is sponsored by Rep. Jon Switalski, (D-Warren) and Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor).
In addition to the Safe Patient Care Act, the protest called for other legislation intended to protect healthcare workers, including a law to increase penalties on those who assault healthcare professionals while they perform patient care.
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