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Safe Staffing Ratios

Press

Large group of nurses outside hospital holding signs "Staff Up for Safe Patient Care"

New data shows there is a nurse retention crisis, not a nurse shortage

Nearly 1.15 million registered nurses (RNs) with active licenses are not working as nurses, announced National Nurses United (NNU). NNU reached this number by comparing the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, released on May 15, with data covering the same period from the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing.

National Nurses United
May 26, 2026

News

NNU logo

California is rolling back protections for frontline workers. This is wrong and dangerous

As California struggles with record infections, hospitalizations and deaths, it’s hard to imagine that hospital industry executives, with the cooperation of state regulators, would come up with a plan to make conditions worse. Sadly, they have.

Zenei Cortez
December 28, 2020

Blog

What are Safe Staffing Ratios and why are they so important to all of us?

Many Americans may be surprised to know that California is the only state in the country with mandatory limits on the number of patients a nurse can be assigned at one time. Now nurses across the country are pushing for national legislation.

Pattie Lockard, Nurse Talk Radio

Publications

NATIONAL NURSE MAGAZINE

National Nurse magazine not only covers the activities of National Nurses United but also strives to produce hard-hitting news features and thoughtful analyses about nursing and the real ills plaguing the U.S. healthcare system. You'll find true stories from the front lines of care given by the nation's 2.5 million registered nurses, as well as articles about nursing practice, public health, healthcare policy, and the healthcare industry. Through our reporting, we hope to inspire a movement toward a humane and just healthcare system for all. The magazine is published 10 times per year by NNU, with combined issues in summer and winter. (Online Publication ISSN# 2153-0394) Download »

Issues

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR SAFE RN-TO-PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS

RNs across the United States are actively working with CNA/NNU to win their own mandated direct-care RN-to-patient staffing ratios. RNs in other countries have also been fighting to win RN-to-patient staffing ratios to improve conditions for their patients. Safe RN-to-patient staffing ratios have been proven to save lives, yet under-staffing is a major issue that RNs struggle with every day. We are ready to change that. Join us! More »