Senator’s Comment on Nurses Sparks National Outrage

Last week during a hearing on HB 1155, Washington State Senator Maureen Walsh made a comment that has sparked outrage from nurses and others across the country. AORN supports the American Nurses Association’s response to this disrespectful statement and urges Washington nurses to support this legislation that provides for uninterrupted, mandatory breaks for nurses and technical staff in all of Washington’s hospitals.

The full statement from Ernest J Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN:

April 23, 2019

ANA President Responds to the Debate About Breaks and Overtime Protections for Nurses in Washington State

Silver Spring, MD – The following statement is attributable to American Nurses Association President Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, in response to the debate about a bill under consideration by the Washington State Legislature:

“A disrespectful, uninformed comment from a Washington state legislator has sparked widespread outrage from nurses, physicians and others across this country.   Why?   Because when you disrespect nurses, you disrespect the vital role they play in caring for patients.  Nurses are on the frontlines of patient care, 24/7, from birth to the end of life.   Anyone who has had experience with the health care system or who has a chronic illness knows that nurses save lives.   

Nurses practice under challenging conditions; they face myriad hazards on the job and provide compassionate, expert care despite being subjected to insults, verbal abuse and a high risk of physical violence.  Despite these challenges, nurses are professionals who abide by a Code of Ethics,  and they remain focused on delivering high quality care to patients.  That is why all eyes are on the Washington State legislature to see how lawmakers act on the bill before them.  Assuring meal/rest breaks and overtime protections for nurses in ALL hospitals is ultimately an act to protect patients.  As professionals,  we remain focused on delivering for our patients.  Please join me in supporting this important bill. Please sign the @myWSNA petition. #BreaksAreALifesaver”