Following is ANA President Mary Foley's reply to Abigail Trafford's column in the "Washington Post" asking Santa for a happy nurse ("A Christmas Gift We All Would Cherish," Health section, 12/19/00). The response was in the Post's 01/12/01 Health section (p. 4). For the text of the 12/19 online discussion between Abigail Trafford and Peter Buerhaus, see: http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/00/health121800.htm
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Rx for Better Health Care: Happy RNs
Thank you for "A Christmas Gift We All Would Cherish" [Second Opinion, Dec. 19].My own letter to Santa is very similar. Only my request is for happy nurses and healthier patients who get to go home earlier.
A study commissioned by the American Nurses Association last year documents what nurses have known for a long time: that patients fare better when RNs play a significant role in their care.
The study is significant because some of the benefits it found -- particularly shorter lengths of stay and fewer complications -- translate into lower hospital costs resulting from higher levels of RN care. Thus, it makes no sense for hospitals to cut RN staff, force nurses to work 16 to 20 hours a day, or replace RNs with unlicensed personnel who lack the education and judgment of RNs.
We already know that RNs are the best value in health care; the goal now is in convincing health care decision-makers that the best care is also the most economical.
Mary Foley, RN, MS
President
American Nurses Association
Washington
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