National Nurses United

8 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N O V E M B E R | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 NEWS BRIEFS WRAP-UP REPORT California citing his staunch support for single- payer-style Medicare-for-all healthcare and his longtime support of RNs, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee on Dec. 2 announced its endorsement of California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom for the governor- ship in 2018—a nod of approval that carries a lot of political weight in Golden State races. "His intelligence, his presence, his passion, and the courage of his commitments have been a hallmark of his career," said RoseAnn DeMoro, CNA/ NNOC and National Nurses United execu- tive director. "He is a natural ally of ours, and his message resonates deeply with nurses." Maine citing the grave public health and safety dangers the Trans-Pacific Partnership agree- ment would pose for American patients, consumers, and workers, registered nurses spoke out Dec. 10 at a Maine Citizen Trade Poli- cy Commission hearing against the global trade pact and called on the Maine Legislature to oppose the deal. The TPP contains many objec- tionable provisions, but nurses are particularly appalled at monopoly pricing protections for giant pharmaceutical firms "that could be a death sentence for countless patients in need of affordable medications around the world" by delaying when generic versions of critical drugs can go on the market, said Cokie Giles, RN and CNA/NNOC copresident. Nurses also are opposed to provisions regarding the so-called Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) process that allow global corporations to sue to overturn laws and regulations, including public safety and environmental protections. Washington, D.C. on dec. 10, registered nurses urged the District of Columbia City Council's Committee on Health and Human Services to pass legisla- tion to ensure that hospitals create plans and take necessary action to protect patients, healthcare workers, and others from violence in hospitals. A number of nurses testified about first-hand attacks of themselves or on colleagues. Hannah Roy, an RN at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, testified that, according to Occupa- tional Safety and Health Administra- tion records, between 2012 and 2014, staff members at her hospital were victims of violence on the job "an average of 23 times per year," said Roy. "In other words, at a rate of almost twice a month. This is unacceptable." Indeed, research shows disproportionately high levels of violence and assault upon RNs and health- care workers. Research has shown that a clear work- place violence prevention plan that includes training, increased qualified staffing, and other measures works to reduce violence in hospitals. Many of these components are mandated in California's new proposed regu- lations on workplace violence prevention in hospitals, which nurses advocated the DC council follow and adopt immediately. Nurses also urged the council to pass the Safe Working Conditions for Healthcare Workers Amendment Act, also known as the Patient Protection Act, to ensure sufficient RN staff in each hospital unit. "At my hospital, key contributors to violence are overcrowded waiting rooms as well as understaffed inpa- tient wards and understaffed emergency department," said Roy. "When there is under- staffing, those staff who are at the bedside become easier targets and are more vulnera- ble to attack." —Staff report From top: CNA/NNOC RNs announce their endorsement of Gavin Newsom for California governor in 2018; Washington, D.C. nurses testify before city council about the workplace violence they face each day and urge passage of prevention law.

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