Nurses Association addresses violence against nurses at annual Lobby Day

Related: Images - 2010 Lobby Day

LATHAM, April 16 — Tuesday, April 20 was the New York State Nurses Association’s annual Lobby Day at the State Capitol in Albany. More than 2,000 RNs and nursing students from throughout the state met with lawmakers to discuss legislative issues affecting nurses.

Senator Diane Savino was the gathering's keynote speaker in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. She addressed the role of legislative leadership in healthcare issues. Nurses Association President Karen Ballard, MA, RN, FAAN, welcomed the nurses at 10 a.m.

Addressing violence against nurses remains a top priority for the Association. Registered nurses face acts of violence as a result of just doing their job. Factors such as unrestricted access by the general public, facilities that are open 24 hours a day, and the presence of gang members, drug or alcohol abusers, and distraught family members all contribute to an increase in violence against nurses.

The Nurses Association will continue to lobby to add attacks on registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to the same class as attacks on police officers, firefighters, and EMTs (A3103/S4018).

Other legislative priorities for the year include safe nurse staffing ratios (A2264-A/S3843), safe patient handling programs (A2047-A/S3839) and educational advancement for nurses (A2079-B/S4051-A).

The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for nursing in the Empire State. With more than 37,000 members, it is the state's largest professional association and largest union for registered nurses. It supports nurses and nursing practice through education, research, legislative advocacy, and collective bargaining.

- 30 -