1. One issue that I would be looking into at the federal level for which the ANA is advocating change or new policies is nursing shortage. The nursing shortage is currently felt not only in the hospitals but long term care. Professionals are leaving the nursing field and processing careers in other areas that are less overworked. As a current nurse, I have myself faced and currently working through the nurse shortage. For me it all started at the height of the pandemic. Many nurses have died, some are too scared to continue due to COVID, and others to simply put it are burned out. I am most eager to see a law enacted that will benefit current nurses and future nurses with the shortage to maintain a safe environment for our patients, as well as the staff. I believe when there are not enough nurses, the person that suffers the most is the patient. This has a huge impact on me because, as I stated I am a current nurse, and in the current shortage I can have anywhere from 20-28 patients at a time. This is not safe for me nor the patient. Sometimes my patient may not always get my undivided attention. Majority of my days I am only able to assess the patients current needs, instead
of spending the quality time that like I would like if I had fewer patients. For most of my residents I am the only interaction they may get during the day. Passage of such legislation would affect me and my patients by making the total number of patients I care for between 15-18. This would allow me the time to spend with my patients on a personal level, not only meeting their medical needs but their emotional needs. This also would insure less nursing burnout as well as a higher retention rate in a nursing home facility/hospital. 2. One of the policies that I feel is important to enact is the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act. It offers a balance approach to ensure adequate nurse staffing by recognizing that direct care nurses are best equipped to determine the staffing level of their patients. Without the appropriate nurse coverage in any facility or hospital, patients risk longer hospital stays, increased infections, possible medication errors, falls, injuries, and even death. I fully support the implementation of this policy and very interested in seeing it implemented into nursing care. This will not only promote a safer environment for patients but for staff as well.