Safe staffing ratios press releases

Submitted by ADonahue on
Group of nurses outside California State Capitol building holding signs "Hands Off Our Ratios"

California Nurses Association registered nurses celebrate their victory in implementing long-awaited safe staffing ratios for state’s acute psychiatric hospitals

California nurses are celebrating today, June 1, the historic implementation of long-awaited safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in the state’s acute psychiatric hospitals (APH) that should dramatically improve the care behavioral health patients receive and that RNs can provide.

California Nurses Association
June 1, 2026

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

Group of nurses on picket line holding signs

Nurses to strike at Houlton Regional Hospital starting May 26

Registered nurses at Houlton Regional Hospital in Houlton, Maine, will begin a four-day strike on Tuesday, May 26, to protest management’s refusal to address their deep concerns about emergency department staffing and its impact on patient care.

Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee
May 22, 2026

Group of nurses outside hospital, smiling, raised fists, holding banner "SSM Health: Invest in Patient Care"

St. Louis nurses rally to demand SLU Hospital take immediate action on safe staffing and workplace violence prevention

Registered nurses at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., will hold a rally on Tuesday, Dec. 23, to highlight chronic short staffing and ongoing safety concerns that SSM Health has repeatedly refused to address.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United
December 19, 2025

Maine nurses holding banner "Bedside nurses support ratios"

Nurses from Maine Medical Center and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center to hold press conference for patient safety

RNs at Maine Medical Center (MMC) in Portland and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) in Bangor will hold a joint press conference on Oct. 21 in Augusta, Maine, to highlight their patient safety concerns, including short-staffing, workplace violence prevention, and improved recruitment and retention.

Maine State Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee
October 20, 2025

Nevada nurses lobby for safe staffing in March.

Union nurses celebrate Nevada legislature’s passage of safe staffing bill

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United, the largest union of registered nurses in the country, is celebrating the passage of Nevada Senate Bill 182. The new legislation will set maximum nurse-to-patient ratios in Nevada hospitals, improving patient care and safety and likely bringing nurses back to the bedside.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United
June 3, 2025

Three nurses standing, smiling with Nevada State Sen. Rochelle Nguyen

Nevada nurses celebrate advancement of safe-staffing ratios bill

Registered nurses across the Silver State are celebrating today as new legislation, which would set maximum legal limits for the number of patients a nurse can be assigned, advances from the Nevada State Senate to the Nevada Assembly. The legislation has the potential to completely alter the landscape of nursing in the state.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United
May 22, 2025

Large group of nurses outside Capitol building in Washington, D.C. with raised fists

Members of Congress introduce safe staffing bill to require hospitals to protect patients and nurses

The more than 225,000 nurses represented by National Nurses United applaud the introduction of federal legislation to mandate minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios in every hospital across the country. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Jan Schakowsky and new Senate sponsors, Sen. Alex Padilla and Sen. Jeff Merkley.

National Nurses United
May 12, 2025

Pile of "Safe Staffing Now" buttons

Santa Clarita nurses to hold community rally for patient safety and safe staffing

Registered nurses at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, Calif., will hold a community rally on Saturday, April 26, to protest the administration’s refusal to address RNs’ ongoing concerns about safe staffing and safe working conditions.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United
April 24, 2025

Five Verdugo nurses smiling for a group shot

USC Verdugo Hills nurses ratify new contract with strong measures to improve patient safety and nurse retention

Registered nurses at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, Calif., voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new four-year contract on Tuesday, April 22, winning protections to improve patient safety and nurse retention.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses United
April 23, 2025