Violence against nurses

I am working to get a piece of legislation passed in Oregon that would permit nurses who are assaulted in the line of duty to press charges against the perpetrator, even if they are a patient. There are ER nurses who have been assaulted, psych nurses who have been beaten up, and their work site has been resistant to bringing charges. The stated reason is that they want to avoid negative publicity, but there is also the unstated expectation that the nurse working with people with a history of violence should "expect to be hit once in a while." I need nurses who have been assaulted at work to write or e-mail their legislator and tell their story. ONA is supporting this legislation, but if there is not alot of support for it, it may not make it to a vote. The Hospital Association is in opposition, and they have big time lobbiests to use. Speak up and raise the level of workplace safety for all nurses. Thanks.

I am working to get a piece of legislation passed in Oregon that would permit nurses who are assaulted in the line of duty to press charges against the perpetrator, even if they are a patient. There are ER nurses who have been assaulted, psych nurses who have been beaten up, and their work site has been resistant to bringing charges. The stated reason is that they want to avoid negative publicity, but there is also the unstated expectation that the nurse working with people with a history of violence should "expect to be hit once in a while." I need nurses who have been assaulted at work to write or e-mail their legislator and tell their story. ONA is supporting this legislation, but if there is not alot of support for it, it may not make it to a vote. The Hospital Association is in opposition, and they have big time lobbiests to use. Speak up and raise the level of workplace safety for all nurses. Thanks.