Safe Nurses, Safe Care, No Silence: The Pennsylvania Legislature Must Act

, /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association is calling for legislation to end the culture of silence that threatens nurse safety in the workplace. 

PSNA advocates for the state's 300,000 registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. The organization is particularly concerned that workplace violence is not a public focus until tragedy strikes.

Current attention results from the Feb. 22 shooting and hostage-taking at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, PA, where a police officer was killed while protecting injured nurses and others.

One in four nurses is physically assaulted at work, according to PSNA's national organization, the American Nurses Association. PSNA CEO Wayne Reich is certain that current numbers are even higher, in part because incidents are under reported.

Reich himself is a nurse. He worked at the bedside for more than 10 years before leaving to work for PSNA.

"Nurses have learned to normalize violence as being part of the job," said Reich. "I've seen it myself, and I've heard it from members. That mindset is dangerous. It compromises not only nurse safety but also patient care."

Cumbersome reporting mechanisms compound the problem. "Incidents can be brushed aside, especially when they don't escalate to a level where police intervention is needed," said Reich. "Worse, nurses can feel they're to blame for actions of violence against them, particularly when asked what they, and not their employer, could have done differently."

Legislation failed to pass in 2024. PSNA wants it enacted. "Enough is enough," said Reich. "Patients deserve care from nurses who feel safe, respected, and valued."

Last session's House Bill 2247 (Rep. Leanne Krueger) and Senate Bill 849 (Sen. John Kane), the Healthcare Violence Prevention Act, provides a path forward. Every healthcare facility would establish a workplace violence prevention committee. The committee would assess risks, develop prevention plans, and ensure accountability. At least half of the committee members would be workers engaged in direct patient care.

The legislation also challenges the culture of silence. Facilities could be fined up to $10,000 for noncompliance, and employees would report incidents of violence without fear of retaliation.

PSNA asks Pennsylvania nurses and all healthcare workers to support workplace change by engaging with PSNA to get legislation moving. Nurses are also encouraged to share their stories with PSNA by visiting https://www.psna.org. 

Contact Stephanie Maurer
Director of Communications
[email protected]
717-798-8170

SOURCE Pennsylvania State Nurses Association