FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2024
Findings highlight growing patient care crisis in Ohio’s hospitals
*Key Findings
63% of direct care nurses are considering leaving bedside nursing due to current conditions.
91% of nurses would strongly support or support a bill that included minimum staffing standards for hospitals.
63% of nurses who have left the bedside did so because of patient care load.
65% of direct care nurses experienced workplace violence in the last 12 months.
*2024 Nurse Survey Stats Sheet
Columbus, Ohio – A new statewide survey conducted by the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) provides a grim look at the worsening impact of chronic and deliberate understaffing in Ohio’s hospitals and calls on healthcare executives and policymakers to take swift action to protect patients and ensure the well-being of nurses and health professionals.
“The data in this report speaks for itself; understaffing and workplace violence in our healthcare systems is a patient care crisis that must be addressed now,” said Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, CCRN, ONA President and Executive Director. “Ohio cannot sustain the current trend of losing nurses due to working conditions. Having legally enforceable staffing standards in all Ohio hospitals and holding healthcare executives accountable for unsafe workplaces is crucial to the future of healthcare to improve patient care and ensure a sustainable, supportive environment for our nurses and health professionals.”
The ‘ONA Survey of all Ohio Nurses: 2024 Staffing Findings’, analyzes new data gathered (June 7, 2024-July 1, 2024) from more than 7,800 nurses regarding experiences of workplace violence and inadequate staffing, and it shows that healthcare executives’ failures jeopardize patient and staff safety, and exacerbate Ohio’s nurse staffing crisis: Ohio cannot afford to lose 3 of every 5 bedside nurses.
Minimum staffing standards will retain bedside nurses.
63% of direct care nurses are considering leaving bedside nursing due to current conditions but if Ohio had legally enforceable minimum staffing standards in every hospital, 89% of nurses said that would increase their likelihood of remaining in a direct care role.
Short staffing puts Ohioans at risk.
Insufficient staffing can result in compromised patient care, increased medical errors, longer response times, and increased risk of negative outcomes. According to the report, nurses in Ohio confirmed delays in patient care due to short staffing, with the most frequent type of delay being a delay in answering call lights or requests for assistance.
Workplace violence jeopardizes patient and staff safety. Workplace violence is increasing in healthcare environments. 65% of Ohio’s direct care nurses have experienced workplace violence in the last 12 months. Patients and staff deserve safe care environments, however, according to the report, 31% of nurses said safety measures are rarely or never available in their unit.
To read the full report, including statistics and sources, click here.
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About ONA
Formed in 1904, the Ohio Nurses Association is a powerful network of nurses and health professionals. Our mission is to unite and empower nurses and health professionals, championing their rights, promoting professional practice, and advocating for quality care for all patients in Ohio, while fostering a strong and cohesive professional union community. To learn more or to become a member of the Ohio Nurses Association, visit www.ohnurses.org.
Contact: Michelle Day
Director of Communications & Technology
mday@ohnurses.org