Nurses Association Commends Passage Of Bill To Protect Nurses Against Violence

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 29 Jan 2010 - 2:00 PDT

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The New York State Nurses Association commends the New York State Senate's passage of S4018, an act to amend the penal law, making assault on registered nurses a Class C felony.

Police officers, firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are protected under this classification. Like these professionals, RNs and LPNs face inherent dangers in simply trying to do their jobs. Nurses regularly come into contact with patients, family members and the public in general whose level of distress may escalate to violence. These unstable conditions are often exacerbated in facilities that are understaffed, forcing nurses to work alone.

In recognition of the vital services RNs and LPNs provide in dangerous settings, the Nurses Association strongly urges the Assembly to send the same message that violence will not be tolerated and pass its bill this session.

Source
The New York State Nurses Association

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