To: Senator Mark Warner

From: Priscilla Ambang, RN, OCN

Date: October 29th, 2017
Subject: H.R. 3351, Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act of 2017

We are facing an aging population in the United States. Advances in healthcare and varied
treatment options in chronic illness has greatly impacted lifespans. The direction of healthcare
has unfortunately detoured, now with a more prominent focus on treatment, rather than
prevention. With that being said, the demands of frontline staff will only increase in coming
years. Nurses, who form the largest percentage of healthcare providers in the United States, will
be significantly affected, as this challenge is anticipated to align with a nursing shortage. (Grant,
2016) H.R. 3351, Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act of 2017 could provide the assistance
and additional staff needed to bridge this gap, by allowing trained immigrant nurses the
opportunity to transition to the United States as providers.

The shift in healthcare from quantity to quality has only positively effected healthcare
outcomes amongst patients. While its benefits to patients and outcomes is nearly
indisputable, this concept has increased the burden on nurses, while not addressing an
already taxing nurse patient ratio, especially in hospitals. Frontline staff, primarily
nurses at the bedside, are so affected by these challenges, many are choosing to leave the
inpatient setting, and some the profession all together. (Carlson, 2017) Adequate staffing
equals improved patient outcomes. (ANA, 2015). This issue needs to be addressed
quickly, before it erupts into a disastrous situation, negatively affecting safe patient care.

Additionally, we are a diverse population with many organizations becoming culturally

competent. (National Center for Cultural Competence, 2017) Cultural competence allows
for patient and family focused care. It encourages communication, inclusion, and
acceptance in a varied population, only improving trust between patient and provider.
Organizations, and nurses alike, recognize the importance of providing care to all who
seek help, no matter the background.

Recommendation: As this shortage approaches it would behoove healthcare if lawmakers are

proactive, as opposed to reactive. By 2025, we could be facing the worse nursing shortage since
the 1960’s. (Grant, 2016) Additionally, even in the midst of current immigration reform,
diversity in the United States will continue to widen. By passing H.R. 3351, Emergency Nursing
Supply Relief Act of 2017 the benefit could be profound, as it would not only address staffing,
but also assist with communicating with a growing, diverse population. Nurse morale could
improve, decreasing nurse burnout, and ultimately resulting in nurse retention.

I believe passage of this bill, can only support these previously stated anticipated shifts in
healthcare, supporting the ultimate goal, improved patient outcomes. Your support by voting for
this bill, could provide a lasting impact on nurses, and show support for the safe care of patients.
 References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nurse staffing. Retrieved from

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/State/Legislative-

Agenda-Reports/State-StaffingPlansRatiosns/statistic/income-today%E2%80%99s-older-

adults

Carlson, K. (2017) Nurse-Patient Ratios and safe staffing: Why you should care. Retrieved from

https://nurse.org/articles/nurse-patient-ratios-and-safe-staffing/

Grant, R. (2016). The US is running out of nurses. The Atlantic. Retrieved from

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/02/nursing-shortage/459741/

National Center for Cultural Competence. (2017). What we do. Retrieved from

https://nccc.georgetown.edu/about/

To: Senator Mark Warner

From: Priscilla Ambang, RN, OCN
Date: October 29th, 2017
Subject: H.R. 3351, Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act of 2017

We are facing an aging population in the United States. Advances in healthcare and varied
treatment options in chronic illness has greatly impacted lifespans. The direction of healthcare
has unfortunately detoured, now with a more prominent focus on treatment, rather than
prevention. With that being said, the demands of frontline staff will only increase in coming
years. Nurses, who form the largest percentage of healthcare providers in the United States, will
be significantly affected, as this challenge is anticipated to align with a nursing shortage. (Grant,
2016) H.R. 3351, Emergency Nursing Supply Relief Act of 2017 could provide the assistance
and additional staff needed to bridge this gap, by allowing trained immigrant nurses the
opportunity to transition to the United States as providers.

The shift in healthcare from quantity to quality has only positively effected healthcare
outcomes amongst patients. While its benefits to patients and outcomes is nearly
 indisputable, this concept has increased the burden on nurses, while not addressing an
already taxing nurse patient ratio, especially in hospitals. Frontline staff, primarily
nurses at the bedside, are so affected by these challenges, many are choosing to leave the
inpatient setting, and some the profession all together. (Carlson, 2017) Adequate staffing
equals improved patient outcomes. (ANA, 2015). This issue needs to be addressed
quickly, before it erupts into a disastrous situation, negatively affecting safe patient care.

Additionally, we are a diverse population with many organizations becoming culturally

competent. (National Center for Cultural Competence, 2017) Cultural competence allows
for patient and family focused care. It encourages communication, inclusion, and
acceptance in a varied population, only improving trust between patient and provider.
Organizations, and nurses alike, recognize the importance of providing care to all who
seek help, no matter the background.

Recommendation: As this shortage approaches it would behoove healthcare if lawmakers are

proactive, as opposed to reactive. By 2025, we could be facing the worse nursing shortage since
the 1960’s. (Grant, 2016) Additionally, even in the midst of current immigration reform,
diversity in the United States will continue to widen. By passing H.R. 3351, Emergency Nursing
Supply Relief Act of 2017 the benefit could be profound, as it would not only address staffing,
but also assist with communicating with a growing, diverse population. Nurse morale could
improve, decreasing nurse burnout, and ultimately resulting in nurse retention.

I believe passage of this bill, can only support these previously stated anticipated shifts in
healthcare, supporting the ultimate goal, improved patient outcomes. Your support by voting for
this bill, could provide a lasting impact on nurses, and show support for the safe care of patients.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nurse staffing. Retrieved from

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/Policy-Advocacy/State/Legislative-

Agenda-Reports/State-StaffingPlansRatiosns/statistic/income-today%E2%80%99s-older-

adults

Carlson, K. (2017) Nurse-Patient Ratios and safe staffing: Why you should care. Retrieved from

https://nurse.org/articles/nurse-patient-ratios-and-safe-staffing/
Grant, R. (2016). The US is running out of nurses. The Atlantic. Retrieved from

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2016/02/nursing-shortage/459741/

National Center for Cultural Competence. (2017). What we do. Retrieved from

https://nccc.georgetown.edu/about/