We continue to hear that nursing and health care are in crisis. Some challenges the nursing profession faces include burnout, compassion fatigue, COVID-19, staffing shortages, long hours, mandatory overtime and workplace violence.

On May 12, nurses from across the nation will unite in Washington D.C. for the National Nurses March. Warren County will be represented. Our focus will be safe staffing ratios for all health-care workers nationally; real protection/follow-through on a federal and state level for violence against healthcare workers; and fair and realistic wages.

I have seen a lot over the past 35 years as a registered nurse. I work in SNF/LTC, which is also known as a nursing home. Most of my career was acute care hospital. I have held staff nurse positions, and management positions.

During this pandemic, there have been both state and federal action enacting legislation, specifically aimed towards regulation for staffing agencies and limiting travel nurse pay. There is concern regarding the sustainability of health-care facilities. I agree. But it is not nursing that will make or break it.

Studies have shown, and nurses know, that lower patient ratios lead to safer care. Senator Brown introduced S.1567 – Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2021. It has been sitting in state Rep. Kathy Rapp’s committee. Rep. Rapp detailed her rationale by stating she felt that this was a contractual issue between employer and employees. I find this interesting. Who created the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987? The 100th U.S. Congress. OBRA has guidelines for staffing. The Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, improved the quality of care in nursing homes by setting forth federal standards of how care should be provided to residents.

Why are CEOs, members of Congress, Big Pharm and insurances not being investigated and salary caps discussed? Rapp has health care resources as her top third donor with more than $40,000. Rep. Rapp please hear all your constituents.

If you punch, kick or spit a law enforcement officer, you get arrested. Nursing staff are asked how they could have handled the situation differently. e deserve respect and a safe environment to practice nursing. No verbal or physical abuse.

Nursing represents a voting block that is almost unequal by any other profession. It is essential for nurses to unite and advocate. We must represent ourselves and our patients.

Deborah Doyle Labesky, BSN, RN, is a Warren resident.