Professional Collaboration: Who Should Determine Safe Staffing for Nurses?

Nurses across the nation are concerned about adequate staffing levels and the ability to provide safe patient care. This concern is not exclusive to the United States and seems to be a profession wide problem as other countries are also tackling the debate. Federal Legislation (Senate 58, House of Representatives 876) has been re-introduced for the 2011–2012 Congress regarding nurse staff-patient ratios.1 This paper identifies the multiple forces that effect the development and formulation of this Registered Nurse (RN) Safe Staffing Act. It is felt that through the appropriate use of the policy process, real solutions can be identified and implemented that will enhance patient safety while also allowing nurses the ability to act within the requirements of sound ethical and legal practice.