Mandatory Overtime in Nursing

Last week a new bill was introduced by Senator Merkley of Oregon, S. 5157 Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act. This is the first bill I have ever read that contains some really interesting evidence based research in it. It notes that, even though most nurses work three 12 hour shifts a week, nurses averagely work 200 more hours a year than the average American. This statistic is only calculating for one job. The bill also notes that 13% of new grads hold more than one job, and if multiple jobs were accounted for, the 200 hour average would be far exceeding this. This bill amazingly recognizes that excessive overtime leads to exhaustion, errors, and poor patient outcomes. S. 5157 would eliminate mandatory overtime, protect voluntary overtime, protect whistleblowers, and prevent retaliation. Oddly, when introduced on 12/1/22, it was read twice and referred to the Senate Finance Committee. I have not seen a healthcare related Senate bill sent to this committee before. Members of the Finance Committee include:

Ron Wydan, OR Mike Crapo, ID

Debbie Stabenow, MI Chuck Grassley, IA

Maria Cantwell, WA John Cornyn, TX

Robert Menedez, NJ John Thune, SD

Thomas Carper, DE Richard Burr, NC

Benjamin Cardin, MD Rob Portman, OH

Sherrod Brown, OH Patrick Toomey, PA

Michael Bennet, CO Tim Scott, SC

Bob Casey, PA Bill Cassidy, LA

Mark Warner, VA James Lankford, OK

Sheldon Whitehouse, RI Steve Daines, MT

Maggie Hasson, NH Todd Young, IN

Catherine Cortez Masto, NV Ben Sasse, NE

Elizabeth Warren, MA John Barrasso, WY

These are the public servants that hold this bill in the palm of their hands. If any of these representatives are from your state, reach out to them and ask them to discuss this bill with you. Ask them to put this bill on the agenda for review, so it can get moved back to the Senate floor for a vote. We, as nurses, have to do a better job at painting the picture of the reality in healthcare settings across this country. If you would like a template for a letter, let me know, I would be happy to write one.