I would like to ask the residents of Massachusetts to please vote "Yes" on ballot Question 1, which addresses nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.

I have been a registered nurse at a large hospital for 33 years. I can tell you with confidence that the person you want to spend the most time with during your hospital stay is your bedside nurse. I know that your nurse definitely wants to spend as much time as possible with you.

Bedside nurses have an enormous amount of responsibility on their shoulders. Hospitalized patients tend to be much sicker with complex needs. When you combine patient acuity with short staffing you get nurses who are overwhelmed and frustrated because they cannot care for their patients the way they would like to.

The problem as I see it is really a distribution of money. I’m not sure if Mass citizens realize it but hospitals are run like businesses. Hospital administrators make enormous amounts of money. I would like administrators to funnel more money down to hire and retain bedside nurses.

The residents of Massachusetts can vote "Yes" on Question 1 and ensure that when you or your family unfortunately is hospitalized, you will have a professional nurse at your bedside to attend to all your needs.

Please do not be distracted by the scare tactics that you may see in the news. Patient care over profit margins should be the priority. A "Yes" vote will ensure that this happens.

Sandra Sherman

Somerset