It's about time!

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

This effects more than just ED nurses hopefully other states will follow

New Law Defends Emergency Room Nurses 9/13/13

Sep 15, 2013 11:18 p.m.

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DeAnn Lopez

CBS 7 News

[email protected]

September 13, 2013

ODESSA-Assaults on Emergency Room nurses have been a growing issue in the state of Texas that a law has been made to prevent it.

The new law took effect on September 1, 2013, and it states that an assault on a nurse will now be charged as a "Class-3 Felony," making it the same as assaulting a police officer.

Many nurses whom I spoke with today, say the new law makes them feel more secure.

Emergency room nurses not only deal with sick patients, but also violent ones.

http://kosa.m0bl.net/w/main/story/99708046/
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Specializes in ER.

finally, a good news!:up: I hope this will be adapted here too.. even better if across the world..

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Hope this law comes to maryland!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

So many hospital are afraid it would be "bad for business" and sweep these attacks under the rug and punish the nurse if they step out of line.....other states have followed suit....like New York... but they have to be enforced..like when Kennedy attacked those nurses......Nurses in Kennedy hospital scuffle: He ‘assaulted' us - today > news - TODAY.com

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

How about instead of ED nurses it is extended to ALL nurses on duty. In no other part of the work world is assault against employees tolerated as it is against healthcare providers.

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Specializes in ICU.

It IS for any on-duty nurse:) They just use ED nurses as an example since they have a high rate of assaults on them, and it is easier to explain to the public than what goes on in a unit or floor that could precipitate an assault.

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Specializes in ICU.

Does anyone know how to find a list of states with this law? I have no idea if it is even in my state.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
How about instead of ED nurses it is extended to ALL nurses on duty. In no other part of the work world is assault against employees tolerated as it is against healthcare providers.
The law,and the article, states all nurses...however there is a higher incidence of violence in the ED
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About time!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Does anyone know how to find a list of states with this law? I have no idea if it is even in my state.

The most recent I can find is 2009.....it's old and not entirely accurate for current laws.

50 State Survey Criminal Laws Protecting Health Professionals

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

NY went active with this about 2 years ago (11/22/2010)... So far I know about one of our nurses actively prosecuting under this law.

When it first came out we all felt so much better and safer, but it's not a complete safety measure as lots of people don't know/don't care about this law, so still... be careful out there!

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When we all stand together we will see great changes.

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