HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Nurses, lawmakers and community leaders locked arms at the State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 6 to emphasize the need for reforms to improve patient care and strengthen the state's healthcare system. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The Hawaii Nurses' Association, Hawaii Nurses and Healthcare Professionals and the United Nurses and Health Care Employees of Hawaii voiced their concerns for safer staffing statewide. As of now, Hawaii does not require mandated patient-to-nurse ratios. Representative Sean Quinlan looks to change that, introducing legislation called the "Hawaii Safe Staffing Proposal" which would establish enforceable patient-to-nurse ratios. UH Manoa study reveals sad news of U.S. health care workers “This legislation is a game-changer for patient care in Hawaii. By addressing the root causes of burnout and staffing shortages, we are ensuring that every patient receives the care and attention they deserve," said Rosalee Agas-Yuu, HNA president. Patients also shared their personal experiences at the rally, emphasizing the importance of nurses having a manageable workload to get the care they need. "If my son was in distress, it took a while before a nurse was able to come in and check on him, therefore, we as parents who are not nurses, who don't have any medical background, learned how to care for him in both the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units," said Jodi Hirayama, patient. "So please put yourself in our shoes, protect our nurses and the patients they care for." If Quinlan's legislation is passed, it would also lead to improved nurse retention, reduce nurse burnout and establish safety committees to protect patients and healthcare workers. “My support for this legislation goes beyond my duties as a Representative. As a father and a community member, I believe that every patient in Hawai’i deserves the same standard of care. That is why I am sponsoring this legislation to create a safer and more supportive environment in our healthcare system," Rep. Quinlan added. Check out more news from around Hawaii The rally comes as the three-day nurses' strike at Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai wraps up. The nurses are scheduled to return to work on Friday, Jan. 17 morning.