http://www.wbur.org/2010/07/12/nursing-violence
Violence Against Nurses Is On The Rise
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By Jessica Alpert
Published July 12, 2010
Gov. Deval Patrick recently signed a law that stiffens penalties for people who assault nurses and other health care workers. A June 2008 study by the Massachusetts Nurses Association showed that health care workers are 16 times more likely to face violence on the job than in any other service profession. A 2007 study by the national Emergency Nurses Association found that half of ER nurses had been punched at least once in two years.
It’s a dangerous job. But some health consumer advocates are concerned about the new law. What constitutes “assault” — and would mentally unstable patients be prosecuted?
Listeners, have you ever seen violence in the emergency room? Or maybe you have been restrained after a crisis? Are you a nurse who fears violence in the workplace? Join the conversation in the comments.
Further Reading:
- Emergency Nurses Association: Violence in the Emergency Department (PDF)
- The Journal Of Nursing Administration: Violence Against Nurses Working in US Emergency Departments (abstract)
Guests:
- Linda Condon, emergency room nurse at Morton Hospital, Taunton
- Karen Coughlin, nurse at Taunton State Hospital; vice president of the Massachusetts Nurse Association
- Nicki Glasser, Board Member, MPower
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