• Nurses have responded to the nursing shortage by planning and executing union-led strikes nationwide.
• Due to the growing need for nurses, states are proposing and passing legislation to support nurses and their concerns about unfair wages, unsafe working conditions, and unsafe staffing.
• Nurses are responding favorably to the proposed measures.

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In 2022, just over [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.epi.org/press/major-strike-activity-increased-nearly-50-in-2022/”]one-third of strikes [/hen-ui-link]in the U.S. occurred in the hospital sector. This includes the largest strike in history. In September 2022, more than 15,000 nurses employed by the Twin Cities Hospitals Group in Minnesota went on a three-day strike.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses’ outcry for fair wages, better working conditions, and fair contracts from hospital employers are receiving national attention. States are now proposing laws to protect nurses. Discover what new measures states are putting in place to support nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Nurses Have Responded to the Nursing Shortage[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses have responded to the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/the-us-nursing-shortage-state-by-state-breakdown//”]nursing shortage in various states[/hen-ui-link] by planning and executing strikes. In the past few years, union-led strikes have occurred nationally and globally. Many are due to the [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/post-pandemic-nursing-shortage/”]2020 pandemic that had nurses[/hen-ui-link] either leaving the profession, retiring earlier than expected, or [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.who.int/news/item/20-10-2021-health-and-care-worker-deaths-during-covid-19″]dying from COVID-19[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses are also walking off the job to protest, citing:[/hen-ui-text]

• Unfair wages
• Unsafe staffing
• Unfair health benefits
• Lack of respect
• [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/why-is-there-a-nursing-shortage//”]Nursing shortages[/hen-ui-link]

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are consequences to striking. One is how nursing strikes impact patient care. Leaving the bedside where staffing is already short disrupts the continuation of care. But nurses are demanding change and a fair contract from hospital administrators. One way to get it is through a strike.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Luckily, many hospitals and union leaders reach tentative agreements to avoid strikes. Nurses can ratify new contracts — at least for the next three years — without having to leave their patients or the profession.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]States Propose New Measures to Support Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]States have proposed new measures to address the nursing shortage and support nurses. For example, states like Arizona, Idaho, and Utah used coronavirus relief funds to increase hospital staffing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Last October, the U.S. Department of Labor announced an [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20221003″]$80 million nursing grant program[/hen-ui-link] to expand “bottlenecks in training” and increase diversity in the nursing workforce.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More recent measures are aimed at nurses rather than institutions. Here are a few bills/proposals that speak to nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Violence Prevention[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The federal government reports healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence at healthcare facilities than any other industry. In Texas, according to the[hen-ui-link href=”https://www.tha.org/news-publications/reports-white-papers/”] Texas Hospital Association[/hen-ui-link], 98% of Texas hospitals report that violence in the workplace has increased dramatically or stayed the same since the start of the pandemic.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Texas State Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin), a former nurse, supports the need for hospitals to have a workplace violence protection plan. [hen-ui-link href=”https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB112″]HB 112 would require[/hen-ui-link] hospitals to have this plan in place and make it easier for healthcare workers to report violent incidents to the police.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Mental Health Support[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers experience the [hen-ui-link href=”https://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Abstract/2021/11000/Original_Research__Suicidal_Ideation_and_Attitudes.25.aspx”]burden of suicide greater[/hen-ui-link] than the general public. Nurses report feelings of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts because of the stress that comes with their role.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Legislative sessions in Washington State recognize nurses still feel the aftershock of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, sponsors [hen-ui-link href=”https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5454&Initiative=false&Year=2023″]Bill 5454[/hen-ui-link]. She believes services need to be put in place for the mental health of nurses, specifically those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill would provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage for nurses with PTSD.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Safe Staffing Ratios[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In February, [hen-ui-link href=”https://mnnurses.org/keeping-nurses-at-the-bedside-act-will-solve-retention-and-care-crisis-in-minnesota-hospitals/”]Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act[/hen-ui-link] (SF1561) was proposed by Minnesota nurses and legislators as a way to combat the nursing shortage, [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/how-to-support-nurses-considering-resigning/”]retain nurses[/hen-ui-link], and keep them safe at the bedside. On March 8, nurses, administrators, and the public testified in the first hearing supporting the bill.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The bill would create two new hospital committees consisting of nurses, managers, and other direct care workers. They would be in charge of creating requirements for:[/hen-ui-text]

• Nurse staffing
• Retention
• Patient care

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The bill mirrors many [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/nurse-to-patient-staffing-ratio-laws-by-state/”]nurse-to-patient staffing ratio laws and regulations[/hen-ui-link] that are in effect.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Financial Support[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The nursing staff shortage continues to reveal the growing need to train and retain nurses. In Mississippi, there are about [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/the-us-nursing-shortage-state-by-state-breakdown//”]nine nurses per 1,000 population[/hen-ui-link]. Legislature proposed [hen-ui-link href=”http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2023/pdf/history/SB/SB2373.xml”]Senate Bill 2373.[/hen-ui-link] This bill offers a loan repayment program for $6,000 per student for up to three years. In exchange, nurses must work in a Mississippi hospital or nursing home. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed the bill, and it will go into effect.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Limits on Mandatory Overtime[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]On May 3, the Michigan Nurses Association proposed The Safe Patient Care Act to state representatives. With bipartisan support, The Safe Patient Care Act plans to improve patient safety in hospitals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the Michigan Nurses Association, nurses can be fired if they refuse to work long hours. If passed, the Safe Patient Care Act would hold hospitals responsible for [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.minurses.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/4-page-handout-on-Safe-Patient-Care-Act.pdf” target=”_blank”]three House and Senate Bills[/hen-ui-link]. This legislation seeks to:[/hen-ui-text]

• Limit the rampant use of forced RN overtime so that care isn’t compromised by an exhausted or sleep-deprived nurse. (House Bill 4483, Senate Bill 205).
• Follow evidence-based RN-to-patient ratios by unit so that everyone can get safe, quality care no matter where they go. (House Bill 4482, Senate Bill 204).
• Tell the public what their RN-to-patient staffing is, so that crucial data can be examined and consumers can make informed choices. (House Bill 4484, Senate Bill 206) Safe RN staffing.

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No law limits the number of patients a nurse can care for in hospitals. There is also no law limiting the hours nurses can work. Passing The Safe Patient Care Act will help ensure nurses are providing safe care and patients are on the receiving end of this care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Nurses Respond to Proposed Measures[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses have responded favorably to the proposed measures. The effective bills and those pending show promise for the nursing profession.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Tammy Stafford, DNP, assistant clinical professor and graduate program coordinator at Angelo State University in Texas, believes the Texas House bill to protect nurses regarding workplace violence is a step in the right direction.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Nurses should not have to worry about being assaulted when they are doing their job,” Stafford says. “This would not be acceptable in another environment, and healthcare should be no different.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]But Stafford believes the bill should extend to all healthcare workers and the entire organization as violence can occur in any department, she points out.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Karen Chung, FNP-BC, also agrees with the proposed measures to support nurses. Nurses are a vital piece of the healthcare puzzle, she points out.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”At this critical time of extreme nursing shortages throughout the country, it is imperative new legislation is passed that will protect and empower nurses to give the best care to our patients,” Chung says.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Chung is looking forward to more sweeping changes in the healthcare system.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]She says, “Change to the nursing profession gives more merit and safety measures to a rewarding but tough career.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Meet Our Contributors[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Tammy K. Stafford, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale,c_fill,h_300,w_300,g_face/v1677531781/NurseJournal.org/Headshots/tammy-stafford.jpg” img-alt=”Tammy K. Stafford, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight” class=”text-base”]Tammy Stafford has 29 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings caring for end-stage renal disease patients with 18 years of leadership experience. In fall 2018, Stafford joined the Department of Nursing at Angelo State University as an assistant clinical professor and graduate program coordinator. Stafford is proud to have the opportunity to teach nurses and prepare them for advanced practice.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Karen Chung, RN, FNP-BC” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/e_grayscale,c_fill,h_300,w_300,g_face/v1678297629/NurseJournal.org/Headshots/karen-chung.jpg” img-alt=”Karen Chung, RN, FNP-BC” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight” class=”text-base”]Karen Chung worked as an emergency room nurse for six years before becoming a nurse practitioner. She has been an NP for the past six years and currently works in the retail health industry.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Sources”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB112″]HB 112[/hen-ui-link]. (2023). Texas Legislature Online[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.who.int/news/item/20-10-2021-health-and-care-worker-deaths-during-covid-19″]Health and care worker deaths during COVID-19[/hen-ui-link]. (2021). World Health Organization[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://mnnurses.org/keeping-nurses-at-the-bedside-act-will-solve-retention-and-care-crisis-in-minnesota-hospitals/”]Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act will solve retention and care crisis in Minnesota hospitals[/hen-ui-link]. (2023). Minnesota Nurses Association[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.epi.org/press/major-strike-activity-increased-nearly-50-in-2022/”]Major strike activity increased nearly 50% in 2022[/hen-ui-link]. (2023) Economic Policy Institute[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Abstract/2021/11000/Original_Research__Suicidal_Ideation_and_Attitudes.25.aspx”]Original research: Suicidal ideation and attitudes toward help seeking in U.S. nurses relative to the general working population[/hen-ui-link]. (2021). American Journal of Nursing[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5454&Initiative=false&Year=2023″]SB 5454[/hen-ui-link]. (2023). Washington State Legislature[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”http://.”]Senate bill 2373[/hen-ui-link]. (2023). Mississippi Legislature[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.tha.org/news-publications/reports-white-papers/”]THA white papers & reports[/hen-ui-link]. (2023). Texas Hospital Association[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.minurses.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/4-page-handout-on-Safe-Patient-Care-Act.pdf” target=”_blank”]The Bipartisan Michigan Safe Patient Care Act[/hen-ui-link]. (2022). Michigan Nurses Association[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20221003″]US department of labor announces $80M funding opportunity to help train, expand, diversify nursing workforce; address shortage of nurses[/hen-ui-link]. (2022). U.S. Department of Labor[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]