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NJ Bill Aims to Establish Patient-Staff Ratios in Nursing Homes

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Members of 1199SEIU, a health care worker association, have proposed a bill that will mandate the minimum ratio of certified nurse assistants (CNAs) to patients in New Jersey nursing homes. CNAs are often understaffed in New Jersey, which leaves patients at risk and often neglected. The bill seeks to change this.

New Jersey CNAs reflect to Politicker NJ why current staffing can cause problems on the job where patients are concerned.

“One night I was the only CNA on a floor with 50 residents,” said Josefina Jimenez, a CNA from Passaic.  “I knew that one of my residents was close to dying, and I wanted to comfort her in her final moments because she did not have anyone else.  Sadly, I was so overwhelmed with my other responsibilities that by the time I made it to her room she had already passed away.  It was heartbreaking.”

“In my 15 years as a CNA, I’ve cared for people who have given so much to our society—doctors, teachers, even a Tuskegee airman,” said Ella Moton, a CNA from Jersey City.  “For some of our residents, we are their only family. Having just a few extra minutes for a friendly conversation or to give them a hug, instead of rushing from patient to patient, would make a big difference to their lives.”

“When CNAs work short, it interferes with our nursing duties,” said Miriam Douglas, a licensed practical nurse from Irvington.  “If residents aren’t washed or fed in a timely manner, it takes time out of our day when we need to be administering medication and doing other nursing work.  It can be hard to balance priorities and ultimately it’s the residents who suffer.”

The bill’s Assembly hearing is scheduled for Monday December 21, 2015.

Photo by Dr. Farouk via Flickr CC License

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