Reducing the Impact of RN Fatigue on Patient and Nurse Safety

Signs along the North Carolina highways over the past Memorial Day weekend reminded drivers, “It is the law for all occupants in the car to wear seat belts.” One friend spoke up and said, “click it or ticket!” Another commented that 2 friends were recently stopped and ticketed for not wearing seatbelts. Really? In 2013? A recent obituary of an esteemed North Carolinian legislator noted that his loss of political favor in the 1970s was a direct result of this staunch advocacy for wearing safety belts. Four decades later, car safety is still a challenge despite unequivocal evidence that wearing seat belts reduces injury and saves lives. Similar strong evidence is mounting for both nurse and patient safety associated with registered nurse (RN) fatigue. What changes driven by strong evidence are nursing leaders enacting to reduce the impact of RN fatigue on patient and nurse safety?