Progress on Felony Workplace Assault Laws.written by Ken Steinhardt Director of Government Relations

 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

This nurse has a compelling story ,it is sad but very true. It could happen to you!

.This nurse will tell you her story. This is what is happening to healthcare workers. We need to stop this violence.

www.stophealthcareviolence.org

Sheila Wilson R.N.BSN MPH 

Public opinion on health care violence.

Interview, discussing  violence against healthcare workers.

www.stophealthcareviolence.org

Sheila Wilson R.N.BSN MPH

This can happen to you! What can be done about it?

Please listen to this nurse's story ,it is a compelling story concerning a work day in the emergency room.
Any idea's or comments would be greatly appreciated.

www.stophealthcareviolence.org

Sheila Wilson RN.BSN MPH

Who really knows healthcare workers get hurt??????????? Do they care?

Planting seeds for action is really a long road to hoe......
There were three of us that started "STOPHEALTHCAREVIOLENCE" and over the years things have changed for us. WE have taken on different roles and duties,however the violence continues and actually is getting worse. The places we never thought anything bad would happened ,bad has happened.The website has received a lot of views but will that be enough?
Healthcare workers are getting hurt everyday and most of the public doesn't even know. When I speak to people they can't believe someone would hurt a Nurse, Doctor or any one else taking care of them.I have seen a female physician kicked in her abdomen by the patient she just finished examining. The patient smiled at her after she kicked her.
Could the physician say that's IT I won't take care of her and walk away, will the physician get in trouble foe abandoning her patient ? At that note what if the same happened to the Nurse could she be held on abandoning her patient????????????? This is something I need to find out...
please visit the website www.stophealthcareviolence.org.

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Would you put up with this abuse?


A nurse working in the Emergency room was assaulted by a patient . A patient that she had taken care of several times. These is what he did to her. How many nurses get assaulted every day?

Have you been assaulted?

Is this episode enough for this hospital to look at the realty of violence?

I read in the newspaper about 3 healthcare workers  that were stabbed with a pair of scissors  in a hospital ,they were stabbed by a patient that was inpatient in the psychiatric department.
What I was really surprised at, was the report stating superficial wounds and the spokesperson stated they expect full recovery from that people that were assaulted.
How does one not have PTSD after this? I remember being assaulted and having nightmares, then at work ,when I was to caring for a patient I would have  sweaty palms ,and a high heart rate until I felt as though I was safe, months later I am a caregiver not a punching bag.
These 3 people were in terrible danger ,I hope this hospital doesn't sit back and ask "what could they have done to prevent that" I hope things change and the hospital makes an effort to prevent this from happening again . I see a solution already, don't give Psychiatric patients scissors ,don't have any thing that can be used as a weapon in the patient's reach. Simple suggestion but it could have prevented this situation...
What I liked is the person got arrested, but I feel the patient should have been transferred out of the hospital and put in a safer place for the benefit of staff and the patient.....

Just a thought.