Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/1520619
PRECEDENT-SETTING LEGISLATION X California's first-in-the-nation, state-mandated RN-to-patient staffing ratios prohibit the assign- ment of unlicensed personnel to perform nursing functions in lieu of an RN X Mandated patient advocate role of RNs in California's Nursing Practice Act X Prohibition on phone advice by unlicensed staff to protect patients X Our union was successful in prohib- iting LVNs from administering IV medications in California X Whistle-blower protection for health care providers who expose unsafe conditions X Additional $63 million for nurse education programs X Bar on discrimination based on medical conditions or genetic characteristics X Mandatory safety devices on hospital needles X Loan funding for minority student RNs X Requirement that health plans provide medically appropriate care X Requirement that caregivers disclose credentials on name tags X State health department regula- tions requiring safe floating practices, competency validation, and patient classification systems X Scholarships and loans to RNs seeking a higher degree in nursing and committing to serve as RN educators 23 NNOC 101 » The Organization NNOC HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS Whether we are talking about Covid-19, other infectious diseases, back injuries, workplace violence, or other workplace safety issues nurses face every day, NNOC and NNU lead the way in winning protections for nurses. Together, NNOC and NNU nurses have: X Won the first national, enforceable standard on Covid-19 to protect health care workers and their patients, including the first national mandate for respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment for health care workers caring for Covid-19 patients X Advanced the campaign for a national, enforceable workplace violence prevention standard to protect health care and social service workers X Stopped dangerous crisis standards employing unproven "decontamination" systems to reuse single- use N95 respirators during the Covid-19 pandemic X Won breakthrough legislation in 2014 to create landmark workplace violence regulations in health care settings in California X Won safe patient handling regulations to prevent back injuries to California nurses X Won legislation in California to set standards for removal of toxic surgical plumes in health facilities HALLMARKS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION X Requires health care employers to implement safe staffing as the key to every nurse health and safety program X Maintains clearly defined RN role and scope of practice X Bedside RN input and worker involvement in creating and evaluating employers' injury and illness prevention plans X Prohibits discrimination against workers for taking action or filing complaints X Stringent documenting and reporting requirements for employers X Requires effective, interactive, hands-on training