As a registered nurse, I agree with the Feb. 13 letter “A Better Solution” regarding the shortage of nurses.
I agree with everything that she wrote.
The nurse-to-patient ratios mandated by House Bill 1868 sound good but would actually be a disaster.
They will not work.
You cannot create more nurses when hospital admissions exceed the mandated ratio.
As the writer asked, will hospitals turn patients away?
Who will cover the liability that is sure to follow? And where will these patients go?
Smaller rural hospitals could be facing the prospect of making terrible decisions.
COVID-19 has really brought that question up front and personal for many hospitals and their nursing staffs.
Nursing schools are turning away qualified applicants.
Money is an issue, as is a shortage of faculty to teach new students.
Please do not pass HB 1868.
Rosemary Kane
Port Angeles