The problem is an inefficient hospital system and as much as I hate to admit it, allowing the 1:5 ratio may be a necessary evil. Despite the current 1:6 ratio, hospitals cut corners and allow 7 or more patients per nurse. Nurses regularly work 12 hour shifts, with no lunch break and are spread far too thin for safety.
The healthcare industry needs restructuring and I firmly believe providers should be running the show, cutting out the bureaucracy that believes bigger is better. Small privately run specialty hospitals are the first step.
No lunch breaks and no potty breaks either.
But yes, something needs to be done. When I was working at that last hospital, they were talking about training the ward clerks(transcribed MD orders, answered phones, etc.) to draw blood and act as nursing assistants. All to save money, and this was a private hospital, I did work a burn and trauma unit, dangerous due to gang bangers, no one carried more that 5 patients a shift and that was the University of Arkansas.