Question

The ballot question 1 debated in Massachusetts in 2018 is the proposed law, which would limit the number of patients assigned to nurses. Would this law create more staff? How?

*Please answer in DETAIL*

Answer 1

Those opposed to the measure say there are not enough nurses to meet the stipulated staffing levels. They say there’s already a nurse shortage and that the ballot initiative would require hiring thousands of new nurses in short order.

They say the scramble to hire enough nurses could mean hospitals pull them from places like nursing homes, and those new hospital nurses may be less experienced.

Advocates of Ballot Question One point out that Massachusetts has among the highest number of nurses per capita. Plus, they say with better working conditions, there will be less nurse burnout and some nurses who left the profession may return