RCN: Registered nurse staffing levels for patient safety, care quality and cost effectiveness (7 May 2025)

Summary

The fundamental importance of having enough registered nurses present to deliver care is well supported by evidence. Lower registered nurse staffing levels are associated with higher risks to patients and poorer quality care. 

The Royal College of Nursing has issued their position statement on registered nurse staffing levels for patient safety, care quality and cost effectiveness.

Content

The RCN has a duty to uphold standards in nursing, support all members of the nursing team and lead the way towards safe and effective care. In relation to safe staffing, the RCN Nursing Workforce Academy (launched as part of the RCN Institute of Nursing Excellence) is leading the way by:

• Launching refreshed nursing workforce standards, making explicit what we see as the fundamentals needed to underpin safe and effective care delivery.
• Sharing the evidence on safe staffing (this article has highlighted some key references, but a more formal summary of the evidence is being produced).
• Bringing together the nurse staffing guidance that exists for each specialty and making explicit where there are recommended registered nurse to patient ratios.
• Taking forward the RCN’s commitment to ‘safety critical redlines’ – minimum nurse to patient ratios to protect patients and staff from harm caused by low registered nurse staffing levels.
• Our forthcoming ‘nest’ community platform will offer all relevant resources, latest publications and networking opportunities.