A nursing-limitation bill, HB 1868, has passed in the state House and is now being considered in the Senate.  

To hear the bill’s union supporters describe it, the bill would create better working conditions by restricting the number of patients a nurse treats. In reality, it would make life worse for nurses by blocking their professional judgment and calling their skills and concern for patients into question.  

The bill wrongly paints hospitals as villains, and it could hurt hospital services and limit available beds for Washingtonians. Many fear what will happen in rural hospitals if this bill’s staff-to-patient limit becomes law.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on nurses and caregivers of all kinds, but then that is true of restaurant workers, business owners, construction workers, hospitality employees, and all those who lost their livelihoods or income during the governor’s economic shutdown. Community members meant every one of those signs that were made or waved calling hospital workers heroes. 

Those of us who have experienced nurses’ care and skills up-close and intensely already know they’re heroes. When I was hospitalized in a coma for six weeks after a serious skiing accident, I felt like the nurses caring for me were family. Each year on my accident anniversary date, I bring pastries and a thank-you card to the hospital crew that taught me to walk and talk again.  Recovering from a traumatic brain injury, they helped me return to the land of remembering. Superhero capes, I tell you.  

Hospitals don’t want to be short-staffed, but there is a nursing shortage in our state and across the nation. There is no shortage of patients.  

As one legislator noted in debate on HB 1868, “This [bill] won’t create more nurses. This isn’t magic. We can’t create a rule and make more nurses.” Another lawmaker pointed out that the only other state in the nation that restricts nurse-to-patient ratios is California. “They have the lowest number of nurses per capita anywhere in the United States,” she said.  

This bill imposes the medical judgment of politicians without the consultation of doctors, nurses or patients. Its stiff fines and harsh penalties won’t add one more nurse to hard-pressed hospital staffs.   

Instead of punishments, lawmakers should look for ways to increase the number of nurses, so all patients in our state can gain access to the best care possible. One promising bill is Senate Bill 5892. Awaiting approval in the House, this bill would promote high school nursing programs to help hospitals and foster nursing careers.  

The state Legislature should not interfere in the practice of medicine. Hospitals, doctors and nurses use their best medical judgment to treat patients. These professionals should be respected.