© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Selected stories from the WKAR NewsRoom in your morning email. SUBSCRIBE HERE

Michigan Nurses Demand Mandatory Staffing Ratios

WKAR File Photo

The Michigan Nurses Association is supporting legislation that would require minimum nurse to patient staffing ratios.  Nurses say the measure will save lives and help avoid costly mistakes.

The Safe Patient Care Act would require a one-to-one nurse to patient ratio in critical care and surgical units, one to three for non-trauma units and one to four in pediatrics.  Supporters say hospitals often purposely fail to meet adequate staffing levels to save money, instead imposing mandatory overtime on their nurses.  

Michigan Nurses Association Jeff Breslin says hospitals are operating as corporations that put profit over people.

“But they’re focusing very short term on the bottom line," Breslin says.  "There’s going to be a large savings on many different fronts that will more than make up for the difference in people that need to be hired.”

The Michigan bill is modeled on a California law that mandates nurse staffing levels.  Its sponsors say the measure has the support of nearly a third of the members of the Michigan House. 

Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!