This article was found in the Official Magazine of the Emergency Nurses Association.
"Progress on felony workplace assault laws" I remember quite well when the Ma. Nurses Association (MNA) was working on the assault bill,it took years to pass. The work involved was endless. The nurses would go to the state house and testify,they would send out letters to all members requesting us to call/write our State officials to join the efforts and pass the legislation. I can remember this and couldn't understand why a bill takes so long! In order to find out this information I went to the State House with a friend to ask some questions. Well let me tell you, it was an eye opener. This made me appreciate the hard work that our MNA was doing for us and continues to work for us!
In this article he states there are 29 states with felony assault penalties and a total of 35 states that now provide enhanced penalties for attacking emergency room nurses.
"Recently workplace violence has gained recognition as a distinct category of violent crime that requires specific responses from employers,law enforcement and the community according to the Department of Labor, Federal Bureau of Investigation (2004)" Things do take a long time!!!!!!!!!!!!
Having the laws in place is only the beginning, WE as Nurses have to use them. Make out the incident reports, call the police, make out a police report and follow through. IT ISN'T EASY ,The life you save could be your own!
www.stophealthcareviolence.org
Sheila Wilson R.N. BSN MPH
"Progress on felony workplace assault laws" I remember quite well when the Ma. Nurses Association (MNA) was working on the assault bill,it took years to pass. The work involved was endless. The nurses would go to the state house and testify,they would send out letters to all members requesting us to call/write our State officials to join the efforts and pass the legislation. I can remember this and couldn't understand why a bill takes so long! In order to find out this information I went to the State House with a friend to ask some questions. Well let me tell you, it was an eye opener. This made me appreciate the hard work that our MNA was doing for us and continues to work for us!
In this article he states there are 29 states with felony assault penalties and a total of 35 states that now provide enhanced penalties for attacking emergency room nurses.
"Recently workplace violence has gained recognition as a distinct category of violent crime that requires specific responses from employers,law enforcement and the community according to the Department of Labor, Federal Bureau of Investigation (2004)" Things do take a long time!!!!!!!!!!!!
Having the laws in place is only the beginning, WE as Nurses have to use them. Make out the incident reports, call the police, make out a police report and follow through. IT ISN'T EASY ,The life you save could be your own!
www.stophealthcareviolence.org
Sheila Wilson R.N. BSN MPH
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