It's about time!

Published

  • Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma. Has 43 years experience.

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

dlopez@cbs7.com

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/

kismetRN

73 Posts

Specializes in ER. Has 7 years experience.

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

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

4 Articles; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma. Has 43 years experience.

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

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia. Has 46 years experience.

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.

sapphire18

1,082 Posts

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.

sapphire18

1,082 Posts

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.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

4 Articles; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma. Has 43 years experience.
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

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN

1 Article; 1,066 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN. Has 10 years experience.

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!

elprup, BSN, RN

1,005 Posts

Has 2 years experience.

When we all stand together we will see great changes.