Saturday, February 18, 2017

Brand New Ebook Trailer! The Shocking Reality of Healthcare Violence

I have published an ebook that breaks down the characteristics of workplace violence in healthcare, contributing factors, and what we can do about it. The book even touches on what your employers and administrators can do to mitigate healthcare violence. Get it now on Amazon, Kobo, NookPress and iBooks.






http://stophealthcareviolence.org/get-this-book/
http://tiny.cc/ebook-amazon
http://tiny.cc/ebook-kobo
http://tiny.cc/ebook-ibooks
http://tiny.cc/ebook-nook



Sheila Wilson, RN, BSN, MPH
President, Stop Healthcare Violence
http://www.stophealthcareviolence.org

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Where Caregivers are the Problem

One of the barriers to mitigating healthcare violence is us - the healthcare workers.

We are the problem.

Does that shock  you? It should. But let me explain.

Healthcare workers are caregivers. We are peacemakers.

We are caregivers and peacemakers who often face and manage perpetual crises. We learn and are trained to absorb these situations without showing outward reaction. Our drill is to remain calm amongst a storm that is frequently constant.

It’s innate; we don’t make waves. Instead, we make excuses. 

When a patient scratches, hits or kicks, you say, “He didn’t mean it.” When a patient shoves, we shrug a shoulder and say, “She didn’t mean it, it’s ok.” We minimize, we downplay. 

But this is NOT okay.

Being scratched, hit, kicked, shoved, spit upon, or assaulted in any other way, is not acceptable. We need not, cannot, and should not condone it or make excuses. 

Once we begin to understand, and REALLY BELIEVE, that being assaulted in the workplace is NOT okay, and it is NOT in our job description, we begin to reverse the widespread belief culture that healthcare violence is an acceptable status quo. Correcting this mindset internally - establishing our own "zero tolerance policy," if you will - is a critical component of ensuring our own safety in the workplace.






Read lots more in my ebook, including how to protect yourself, and what your employer can and should do to ensure your safety.    

SHEILA WILSON R.N., BSN, MPH
President, Stop Healthcare Violence
More About My E-Book
Amazon Kindle  * Kobo  * iBooks

Sunday, February 5, 2017

The E-Book You Can't Afford NOT To Read

Healthcare workers: Do you want to...
  • learn to identify potentially dangerous situations, protect and advocate for yourself, 
  • understand that being a victim of violence is NOT in your job description, and 
  • find out what employers and administrators can and should do to keep you safe?

This is is all in my brand new e-book:


Stop Healthcare Violence ebook: The Shocking Reality of Healthcare Violence, and What We Can Do About It
Are you a healthcare worker who has been assaulted, or know someone who has? Violence against healthcare workers has reached epidemic levels, and E.R. nurses are particularly at risk. Assaults on healthcare staff is leading to life-changing injuries, PTSD, and even death. This book helps you, and we CAN mitigate healthcare violence.

You cannot afford NOT to read this. Get it now on Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and iBooks.


SHEILA WILSON R.N., BSN, MPH
President, Stop Healthcare Violence
More About My E-Book
Amazon Kindle  * Kobo  * iBooks

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Ok; Let's Roll

Ok, my fellow supporters, colleagues and friends; it is time.

Many of you have cheered me on over the last eight years since the inception of Stop Healthcare Violence; particularly as I and some of my associates lobbied endlessly and tirelessly for the passage of felony legislation as a means to curb healthcare violence. Now it is time for action. 


I need you to do something for me; it's not a difficult thing and it won't take much, but it could lead to be something significant and could have a major impact on healthcare safety.

We are trying to solicit co-sponsors for Massachusetts Docket #HD 1329, An Act Strengthening the Penalty for Assault or Assault and Battery on an Emergency Medical Technician, Ambulance Operator, Ambulance Attendant or Health Care Provider. This Docket will eventually be filed as a Bill that would replace HB #1164 that was, last year, sent to study. 

Here's what I need you to do: 

Please contact your senators or representatives and ask him or her to co-sponsor this Docket.

You can find your legislator here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

And you can use the following example for your letter, email or telephone call to them:
My name is Sheila Wilson RN BSN MPH President and co-founder of Stop Healthcare Violence. I am asking you to consider co-sponsoring Docket #HD 1329 due to the increase of violence in the workplace. We as healthcare workers are being assaulted by patients, patients’ family members, and friends of the patients. 
Violence against Healthcare workers has reached epidemic levels. Health care workers experience the most non-fatal workplace with attacks on these professions accounting for nearly 70% of all non-fatal workplace assaults. You may not know but at this writing 33 states have changed their law to a felony for assaulting health care workers BUT Massachusetts is not one of them. I wonder why, especially when Massachusetts was always the leader for the health care. This legislation would increase the penalties for assaulting emergency medical technicians, ambulance operators, ambulance attendants and other healthcare workers. Punishable by up to five years in state prison.

Won't you please take five minutes to do this? 
I thank you in advance for your consideration. Now, let's roll.

SHEILA WILSON R.N., BSN, MPH
President, Stop Healthcare Violence

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

New Anti-Assault Bill to be Filed

A new anti-assault bill will be filed with the State of Massachusetts in early 2017. Like HB #1164, this new bill will increase penalties for assault on healthcare workers, and change the category of its crime from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Stay tuned!  

Yes! A Cheer for MNA's Support

I have the distinct pleasure of presenting the following from Donna Kelly-Williams, president of  Massachusetts Nurses Association:
Health care professionals are being assaulted at a rate four times the national average. Fear of violence and actual violence is rampant in Massachusetts health care facilities. It is clear the laws we have in place are not enough to stop the violence. A hospital should be a place where patients go to heal and nurses and other health care professionals are able to provide care in a safe environment. The Massachusetts Nurses Association is proud to partner with Sheila Wilson, co-founder of Stop Healthcare Violence, and the Massachusetts Emergency Nurse Association, in our effort to improve the safety of every health care facility in the Commonwealth.
Stop Healthcare Violence looks forward to working with the MNA in our efforts to engender a safe and supportive work environment for healthcare workers everywhere.


Sheila Wilson R.N.BSN MPH
President, Stop Healthcare Violence
www.stophealthcareviolence.org

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

While Fighting the Battle, We Still Must Have Fun


speaking to OHC founder and staff at luncheonI had the distinct pleasure of attending a luncheon hosted by Nancy Clover, RN, COHN-S, founder of Occupational Health Connections, for OHC staff at the East Street Grill in Methuen, Massachusetts.
I spoke with Nancy and her staff about healthcare violence, and the need to change Massachusetts law for assault on healthcare workers from a misdemeanor to a felony. In spite of the seriousness of the topic, we were able to let loose and have a fantastic time.

A great afternoon, at a great restaurant, with great food, and a lot of fun!

at the OHC luncheonA special thank you goes out to Nancy Clover; and to her colleagues and staff. 

And wow! East Street Grill - great place and great food; thank you.

And now, back to work.