NEW YORK NURSE: December 2007

Legislative Priorities 2008

Violence against nurses – we’re fighting back!

by Nancy Webber

Every year, nearly 500,000 nurses in the U.S. face violence in the workplace.

In a 2004 survey of NYSNA members, one quarter of those responding had either experienced or witnessed a physical assault where they worked.

Adding insult to injury, nurses report that law enforcement officers are sometimes unwilling to pursue these cases to prosecution. For example, after a nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital was attacked for the second time by a patient in the adult psychiatric unit, officers at the local NYPD precinct refused to file a report.

Legislation would increase penalty

Legislation written and supported by NYSNA would make an attack on a nurse a more serious offense. If enacted, it would be a Class C felony to assault and cause physical injury to a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. This provision already exists for assaults on police officers, peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

The bill (A6186/S3441) passed the State Senate last spring under the sponsorship of Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn). “We have tried to protect other professionals who serve the public,” he said. “We should do the same for nurses, who play such an important role in protecting the public’s health.” The bill failed to reach the floor of the State Assembly for a vote.

The measure is sponsored in the Assembly by David Koon (D-Monroe County). “We intend to press hard for this bill starting in January,” said Shaun Flynn, director of the NYSNA Governmental Affairs Department. “We believe legislators should do everything they can to protect nurses in the workplace.”

NYSNA members who are concerned about the risk of violence at their facilities may contact Thomas Lowe, NYSNA Occupational Health & Safety Representative, at 888-551-3112, ext. 200.

Other legislative priorities for 2008

The Nurses Association will continue its efforts to achieve legislation designed to improve patient care and workplace conditions for nurses.

Banning Mandatory Overtime (A1898-B/S6342): Prohibits employers from mandating nurses to work beyond their regularly scheduled shifts except during defined emergencies. Nurses will continue to use their professional judgment in accepting voluntary overtime. During the last session, the bill passed the State Assembly but failed to come to a vote in the State Senate.
Setting Safe Staffing Ratios (A6119/S1551): Establishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in all healthcare facilities; language is supported by all labor unions in New York State that represent registered nurses.
Ensuring Educational Advancement for RNs (A2480/S294): Requires nurses to earn bachelor’s degrees within 10 years of their initial licensure. The measure exempts nurses already in practice and enrolled nursing students.
Achieving “Physically Taxing” Status for City Nurses (A3873/S1865): Classifies nursing among the physically taxing positions listed in the New York City Administrative Code. This would allow nurses employed by the city to participate in 50/20 retirement plan.

For more information on these initiatives, please visit the Governmental Affairs section at www.nysna.org. And plan now to attend Nurse Lobby Day in Albany on April 8, 2008. There’s no charge to attend, and you can make a difference for your profession and your patients!