By Staff
Associated Press
February 17, 2010

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida nurses are calling for legislation to set minimum hospital staffing ratios and give them whistle-blower protection.

Dozens of registered nurses marched and held a rally Wednesday near the Florida Capitol to support the introduction of what they call a a patient protection bill.

It would set nurse-to-patient ratios for various types of hospital care. The nurses say research shows improving those ratios can save lives and cost less costly than many other safety procedures.

The measure would also offer job protection for nurses who refuse certain assignments or file complaints against a hospital or clinic.

The rally was sponsored by the National Nurses Organizing Committee, an association and union.