Critical Limits: The Case for Safe Patient Limits in U.S. Hospitals

Course Description

This continuing education course explores the impact of legislation that guarantees minimum, mandatory registered nurse to patient limits on patient safety and nursing practice in U.S. hospitals. Focusing on the success of California's 2004 legislation, the course demonstrates how safe registered nurse staffing ratios can improve patient outcomes, enhance the quality of care, and support better working conditions for nurses.

Through research and real-world examples, participants will learn about the political, economic, and advocacy efforts that have shaped the movement for safe staffing in the U.S. The course highlights the power of collective patient advocacy and how organized nurses have driven these critical changes. It also examines the global movement for safe staffing, showing how the lessons learned in California have inspired similar campaigns around the world, strengthening the case for safe patient limits everywhere.

Course Objectives

Identify the key elements of the movement for safe nurse-to-patient ratio laws in U.S. hospitals and the role of collective patient advocacy in advancing these efforts.
Analyze research on the impact of nurse-to-patient ratio laws, including implementation milestones, challenges, and improvements in patient safety and care outcomes.
Explore strategies for strengthening and protecting safe staffing laws to ensure long-term benefits for patients and nurses in U.S. hospitals.

Instructors:

Rochelle Pardue-Okimoto, RN and Stephen Frum, RN

Course Information:

This will be a 2-hour online class via Zoom for 2 hours of continuing education credits.

You will receive Zoom information for this class, via email, a week before your class date.

Registrations will close for these classes at 9am on the prior business day.

Dates:

Wednesday, May 14 – 9am to 11am PT/12pm to 2pm ET
Saturday, June 28 – 10am to 12pm PT/1pm to 3pm ET
Tuesday, July 1 – 11am to 1pm PT/2pm to 4pm ET
Wednesday, July 23 – 9am to 11am PT/12pm to 2pm ET
Wednesday, August 6 – 10am to 12pm PT/1pm to 3pm ET
Wednesday, August 27 – 9am to 11am PT/12pm to 2pm ET

CE courses are free to National Nurses United members. Classes are only offered to direct-care and staff RNs.

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Select a class date — please note, if you fill out this form more than once, only your most recent selection is logged.* Wednesday, May 14 – 9am to 11am PT/12pm to 2pm ET Saturday, June 28 – 10am to 12pm PT/1pm to 3pm ET Tuesday, July 1 – 11am to 1pm PT/2pm to 4pm ET Wednesday, July 23 – 9am to 11am PT/12pm to 2pm ET Wednesday, August 6 – 10am to 12pm PT/1pm to 3pm ET Wednesday, August 27 – 9am to 11am PT/12pm to 2pm ET

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