On March 30, 2005, nurses, hospital administrators, health care researchers, legislators, and policy advisors gathered together to evaluate options for improving patient safety and nursing conditions in Massachusetts hospitals. They were participating in a conference cosponsored by the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum and the New England Public Policy Center (NEPPC) of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. “Nurse-to-Patient Ratios: Research and Reality” focused particularly on the pros and cons of establishing minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, a legislative initiative currently under consideration in Massachusetts. This report, written by NEPPC researcher Brad Hershbein, summarizes the conference proceedings.