Driving down the streets of Reading, many lawns display similar-looking signs saying, “Nurses say NO on Question One” and “Nurses say YES on Question One.” As the Midterm Elections are approaching, many are confused about the effects of Question One, as it involves both an important and controversial issue. This question is in regards to nurse-to-patient ratios. If passed, it will impose a new law directing the amount of patients a nurse can help in a day. Voting “Yes” would establish laws that would limit the number of patients a nurse can attend to at one time. Voting “No” would maintain the status quo. Most people are opinionated and are prepared to vote this upcoming Tuesday at the polls, but others are wondering what Question One involves. Either way, it will not solely affect the nurses at hospitals, but anyone in relation to a hospital.
The maximum ratio for most hospital departments would be set at four patients per nurse. However, the limit varies depending on the unit, as well as the condition and type of patient within those units. The average amount of patients a primary care nurse practitioner sees throughout a day is twenty four, according to Dr. Carolyn Bupperts textbook, Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide, Fifth Edition. Question One would impose a great difference in the patients a nurse attends to. The problem many people have realized is that some patients would be left uncared for at hospitals if the law was passed. This sheds light on the overwhelming truth that will put people’s lives at risk.
If all the nurses are already at their patient capacity, there will be a new protocol for leaving patients unattended. According to The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, paramedics from the ambulance the patients arrived in will have to wait with them until they get medical attention. It is uncertain how long they would have to wait with the patients, but it could be multiple hours. Many agree that EMTs should not have to take on the responsibility of waiting with these patients because they realize they should be out helping other people.
How do Yes and No voters feel? Some argue that creating a limit of patients a nurse can have is helpful because it is safer, while others argue it will become problematic. According to WGBH News, some voters say that “staffing levels are unsafe, resulting in medical errors.” The contrary opinion is that others feel tightening the law “overrides nurses’ professional judgment and would not lead to better care.” Every case is not the same and some patients may need more attention from their nurse than others.
At Reading Memorial High School, school nurses, student aids, and part-time nurses were asked their opinion on the question. All said that they will vote “No,” as they are concerned for patients’ health. Other teachers, who are not nurses, were asked for their opinion on the question as well. Again all said “No,” sharing that they have friends that are nurses and realize the harm it could cause. As high school students, why should we care? Most of us cannot vote at this upcoming election anyway, so why does it affect us? The answer is not definitive, but we could walk into a hospital one day and our treatment could be affected, whether or not this law is passed. As high school students, who are the future of this world, we should care about issues like these and formulate our own opinions.