Nursing is a safety critical profession. The work of registered nurses consists of many specialised and complex interventions, interwoven skilful expertise and surveillance. The RCN endorses enforceable minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios, ensuring staffing levels do not fall to dangerously low levels and helping protect patients and nursing staff from avoidable harm. Across diverse settings, nursing presence and vigilance is critical to the safety of people, the prevention of avoidable harm and the management of risks.

This resource makes explicit the information that is available (and not available) on registered nurse-to-patient ratios identified in staffing guidelines for different specialties. Where a ratio has been identified in published guidance, it may be valuable for staff and managers to refer to as part of discussions on what nurse staffing levels should be, in a meaningful way. It accompanies Why Registered Nurse-to-Patient Ratios are Needed: The rationale and evidence base (publication code: 012 610)

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