By: Julia Morrissey, nurse, Ann Arbor

Opinion March 28, 2013 at 1:00 am

I’m a registered nurse who actually knows what patients need when they’re in the hospital. So I was outraged by The Detroit News’ distorted editorial about a bill to require all Michigan hospitals to meet minimal levels of nurse staffing (March 14, “State shouldn’t mandate hospital staffing levels”).

Few people realize there are no laws requiring hospitals to have enough nurses on duty at any time.

Some hospitals work well with nurses to manage staffing levels appropriately. With no accountability, though, too many purposely understaff just to save a few dollars.

This widespread practice is dangerous for patients and can even be deadly.