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Nurse Staffing

Our health care system faces immense challenges. Staff shortages brought about by cost-cutting decisions, an aging population, increased patient complexity and need, and an aging workforce places stress on working conditions for nurses and affects patient care and overall outcomes. An increasing body of evidence shows appropriate nurse staffing contributes to improved patient outcomes and greater satisfaction for both patients and staff. However, the need remains for appropriate staffing in all health care settings.  For more than two decades, ANA has continued working to address unsafe nurse staffing levels to improve working conditions for nurses and achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Safe nurse staffing is essential to both the nursing profession and to the overall health care system. Staffing affects the ability of all nurses to deliver safe, quality care in all practice settings. By eliminating unsafe nurse staffing practices and policies, we can provide better health care for all.

The American Nurses Association is committed to providing the best in evidence-based policy, practice, products, advocacy and professional development to ensure safe staffing and transform health and health care delivery.

Read on to find out more about how ANA is working to improve nurse staffing and how you can get involved.

Legislation & Regulation

Identifying and maintaining the appropriate nurse staff numbers and mix is critical to the delivery of quality patient care. Numerous studies reveal an association between higher levels of experienced RN staffing and lower rates of adverse patient outcomes.

When health care employers fail to recognize the association between RN staffing and patient outcomes, laws and regulations become necessary.

In the News

ANA President Ernest Grant, ANA Enterprise CNO Debbie Hatmaker, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), ANA Enterprise CEO Loressa Cole on Hill Day

Nurses and other stakeholders head to the Hill to advocate

As part of ANA’s annual Hill Day, nurses, students and other leaders are meeting today with members of Congress and their staff to build support for federal legislation addressing workplace violence, funding for nurse workforce development programs, and APRNs’ ability to order home health care services.

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The American Nurses Foundation is a separate charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation does not engage in political campaign activities or communications.

The Foundation expressly disclaims any political views or communications published on or accessible from this website.

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