Even casual observers know that the nursing profession in the state of Michigan is in something of a crisis.

Once considered a choice way to make a living, fewer people are choosing to go into nursing in college and many nurses on the job now are burning out, both from the COVID-19 pandemic and just general wear and tear.

Recognizing the reality of the above, a package of bills has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature that will go a long way toward addressing issues in the nursing profession.

Known as the Safe Patient Care Act, if passed and approved, it would limit mandatory overtime and address staffing levels — both things nurses have been worrying publicly about for some time.

The experience of Scott Balko, a registered nurse at the UP Health System-Marquette, can be instructive. According to Balko, who is on the Michigan Nurses Association board, there have been times in the past when he worked up to 22 hours straight.

Balko made the comments in a recent Mining Journal story on the matter.

“Once you get past hour 14 or 15, you’re pretty much done,” Balko said. “You’re tired and you’re not thinking right and if you make the wrong move, someone could get really hurt.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Everybody wants what is best for patients in this situation. Working nurses to the point of physical and mental exhaustion seems at odds with that basic concept.

We support the Safe Patient Care Act and hope it finds bipartisan support in Lansing.