Establishes the "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act" to set minimum staffing ratios in New Jersey hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities.

The "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act" sets minimum staffing ratios for registered professional nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel in New Jersey hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities. The act mandates specific nurse-to-patient ratios for various units, such as one nurse for every four patients on a medical/surgical unit and one nurse for every three patients in a step-down unit. It also requires hospitals to maintain float pools of qualified nurses and prohibits assigning nurses to units without proper orientation and competency.

Establishes the "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act" to set minimum staffing ratios in New Jersey hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities.

The "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act" sets minimum staffing ratios for registered professional nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel in New Jersey hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities. The act mandates specific nurse-to-patient ratios for various units, such as one nurse for every four patients on a medical/surgical unit and one nurse for every three patients in a step-down unit. It also requires hospitals to maintain float pools of qualified nurses and prohibits assigning nurses to units without proper orientation and competency.