Efforts to legislatively mandate minimum registered nurse (RN) to patient ratios is a complex issue that appears to benefit RNs and patients alike. However, such ratios have significant economic implications for the RN workforce, patient care delivery, hospitals, third-party payors and purchasers of health care, and nursing education. The potential changes in market demands and unintended consequences for each of these entities are explored. Evidence indicates that mandatory RN to patient ratios have some significant downsides that need to be considered prior to adoption.
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