Topic: What About Mandated Staffing Ratios for Nurses

What About Mandated Staffing Ratios for Nurses

You are the Chief Nursing Officer in a large medical center located in a city with four other medical centers. Recently the nurses in all of these hospitals carried out a one day “work stoppage,” but a full strike was averted in last minute negotiations. According to the nurse, a major issue that contributed to the work stoppage was a desire that the hospitals agree to a minimum RN to patient staffing ratio modeled after legislation passed in the State of California. To educate the CNO’s at the other hospitals on this issue, you prepare a memo:
Part 1

(3 pts.) a. You summarize what you think are the strongest arguments that advocates of legislated minimum ratios can muster in support of their position, including any evidence they might present.

(3 pts.) b. You describe what you feel would be the strongest case that can be made in opposition to legislated minimum staffing ratios. What is the evidence you can use to support your arguments?

(3 pts.) c. To diffuse the controversy, you propose a specific alternative to legislated staffing ratios that could appeal to both nurses and the hospitals. Fortunately, several such alternatives have been proposed in the literature. Which specific alternative do you suggest and why?

Part 2

(3 pts.) a. How are nurse staffing issues addressed in medical centers in Saudi Arabia? Provide an example if possible.

(3 pts.) b. Would the issues regarding imposition of mandated nurse staffing ratios in Saudi Arabia be different, or similar, to those you discussed above for hospitals in the U.S.? Explain.

The CNO expects a thorough analysis complete with citations and supporting evidence, and wants you to limit your memo to no more than four double-spaced pages in size 10 font or larger. References are not included in the four page limit.