MEDIA ADVISORY
The Time is Now to Fix the Nurse Staffing Crisis
Ohio nurses bring display to statehouse to draw attention to nurse retention problems
WHAT: The Ohio Nurses Association, representing the voice of Ohio’s over 200,000 registered nurses, is showcasing nurses’ voices in a first-of-its-kind display at the Ohio Statehouse to educate lawmakers on the need for common-sense solutions to the nurse staffing crisis. The display features real-life stories, statistics and demonstrations and is part of the ONA’s #TheTimeIsNow campaign to bring awareness to the long-standing issues plaguing the profession, and the resulting mass exodus of nurses leaving the bedside.
Specifically, the ONA’s #TheTimeIsNow campaign is calling on the state to deploy policy solutions that include the following:
• Convening stakeholders to identify short- and long-term solutions to nurse staffing problems. These solutions must address current COVID-19 staffing issues and beyond, and include legislation that guarantees safe staffing standards and addresses other workplace conditions that contribute to nurses leaving the bedside.
• Prioritizing the recruitment of nurse educators and work with the Department of Education and other stakeholders to evaluate other potential barriers in nursing student education.
• Prioritizing new graduate support through grant residency/fellowship programs, that will increase the nursing workforce pipeline, while also supporting new graduates as they enter the workforce.
• Incentivizing nurses, especially those who graduate from Ohio education programs, to remain in Ohio and work at the bedside.
• Developing a hospital regulatory board who will evaluate nursing, and other healthcare employee, recruitment and retention incentives and working conditions.
“For decades, nurses have dealt with persistent unsafe staffing situations, abuse and moral injury. And for decades, nurses have tried to push for systemic and meaningful change and have largely been ignored or flanked by lobbying groups. Now we’re seeing the consequences of such inaction, with over 40% of nurses considering leaving the profession and sky-high vacancy rates. Nursing is consistently voted the most trusted profession. The time is now to start trusting the most trusted profession. We cannot one day declare victory over the COVID-19 pandemic unless the peripheral longstanding issues, such as unsafe nurse staffing, are addressed,” stated Robert Weitzel, RN, president of the Ohio Nurses Association.
WHERE: Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215
WHEN: Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Display 9am – 4pm, Spokesperson available for interviews from 11am – 1pm
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About ONA: Formed in 1904, the Ohio Nurses Association is a powerful network of registered nurses who are committed to advancing nursing through education, political action and workplace advocacy. ONA is the leading voice of the approximately 190,000 professional registered nurses in Ohio. To become a member of the Ohio Nurses Association, visit www.ohnurses.org
Contact: Anne Ransone, DEO of Operations
Ohio Nurses Association
614-975-0485 | aransone@ohnurses.org