(The Center Square) – Ohio hospitals would be required to have a specific number of nurses, and nursing students would be able to turn student loans into grants based on legislation recently introduced in the Ohio House.
The bipartisan-sponsored bill would enforce minimum nurse staffing standards and create a $20 million loan-to-grant program for nursing students who complete their education and work in the state.
“By ensuring reasonable workloads and building our nursing workforce, we will give families the peace of mind that their loved ones are being well cared for and treated with dignity and respect,” said Rep. Elgin Rogers, D-Toledo.
According to a recent Ohio Nurses Association survey, 70% of current direct care nurses are considering leaving bedside nursing due to current conditions.
Also, 79% of direct care nurses said nurse-to-patient ratios would increase their likelihood of staying in that role.
Finally, the survey showed 80% of nurses would consider returning to the job or pursuing beside nursing if enforceable minimum staffing standards were passed.
“Ohio’s nurses and healthcare workers are tired and fed up with hospital administrators turning a blind eye to the unsafe staffing conditions and this bill is a step in the right direction,” Robert Weitzel, a nurse and Ohio Nurses Association president, said. “We are in a patient care crisis, but this legislation will guarantee safety for patients and healthcare workers in Ohio’s hospitals.”
The bill would also create exceptions to staffing minimums, direct care nurse representation on Ohio hospitals’ existing staffing committees, and a reporting system for complaints regarding inadequate staffing.
“I and the rest of ONA are proud to be part of this historic legislation,” Rick Lucas, nurse and president of Ohio State Nurses Organization, said. “This bill is part of our fight to ensure protection of patients and nurses in the hospitals.”
Ohio is the latest state to attempt to address reported nursing shortages nationwide. In June, Oregon approved nurse-to-patient mandates.
