We have been watching and cheering on our colleagues in Ohio as they haveworked hard to move legislation through Congress that provides better protection for nurses against assault in the workplace. We are thrilled with the unanimous passage of House Bill 62 – the Assault Against Healthcare Workers Bill, which will create safer environments for nurses and their patients.
“This bill is providing important protections for nurses and setting the tone about the realities of what nurses are dealing with in the workplace,” said NFN president Lorraine Seidel. “Workplace Safety has been a policy priority for NFN and we will continue to support efforts across the country to push legislation for our nurses.”
Specifically, HB62:
- Increases the penalty for assault to a fifth degree felony when the offender has previously been convicted of an assault against healthcare workers;
- Authorizes a $5,000 fine for assault against healthcare workers; and
- Authorizes hospitals to post warning signs indicating that abuse or assault of hospital staff will not be tolerated and could result in a felony conviction.
Data show that nurses have the highest risk of becoming a victim of an assault in the workplace. In a survey by the American Nurses Association, less than 20 percent of nurses reported feeling safe in their current work environment and many nurses leave the profession citing fear of their personal safety.
“This bill serves a critical first step in not only reducing workplace violence, but also reducing fear among nurses,” said Gingy Harshey-Meade, MSN, RN CAE, NEA-BC, CEO of the Ohio Nurses Association. ”Violence against nurses in the workplace is a nationwide epidemic and this bill sends a clear message that it will not be tolerated.”
NFN will continue its effort to reduce violence against nurses in the workplace at the national level, at the state level with legislation like HB62 and at the worksite level in the form of great security, and improved staffing levels and other hospital processes that protect nurses and their patients.
One of NFN’s most recent Labor Academy featured the issue of violence against nurses in the workplace. Read the recap and stories from other members, and please share yours.