2020 FNA Book Of Reports

2020 Florida Nurses Association
2019 Reference Proposals
Promoting a Safe Work Environment for All Nurses
Submitted by: The Labor Employees Relations Council (LERC)
Author: Deborah Hogan MPH, BSN, RN
Statement of Concern / Issue
In Florida there is continued concern about the impact of workplace violence. Many nurses and healthcare
workers are still exposed to incidences of bullying, harassment or violence from colleagues, patients and their
families.
Rationale
Statistically, healthcare workers have a 20% higher risk than other workers of being a victim of workplace
violence. In a February 2018 American Nurses Association (ANA) member survey, 29% of the approximately
7000 respondents reported that they had experienced sexual harassment at work (Cipriano, 2018). In addition,
data gathered by ANA on workplace bullying and aggressive behaviors from February 2017 to May 2018 via
the “Healthy Nurse Survey” showed 29% of 9117 nurses and student nurses reported verbal or nonverbal
aggression from a peer during the past year, and 22% from a “higher level of authority. (Grant, 2019)”
All employees have a right to work in an environment that ensures the safety of the worker and freedom from
any abusive behaviors. It is then paramount that as an organization we aid the nurse in fulfilling their goal of
caring for those seriously ill individuals dependent on their nursing expertise. As an organization, we must work
to ensure an environment free of any violence or negative pressures that can impact nurses’ efforts and allow
them to focus on caring for their patients.
Statement of Position
The Florida Nurses Association recognizes and will work to actively promote the need for continued efforts to
prevent violence in the workplace, as well as providing education for nurses to help them deal with issues such as
incivility, bullying and harassment. The organization recognizes that it is imperative to work with other stakeholders
concerned about these issues to ensure continued progress towards the elimination of workplace violence.
Recommendations for Action
• The Florida Nurses Association supports initiatives and policies that protect nurses and other healthcare
workers from workplace violence.
• The Florida Nurses Association supports the American Nurses Association initiative, “#End Nurse Abuse.”
• The Florida Nurses Association supports educating nurses and other healthcare workers about ways to
deal with bullying and lateral violence.
• The Florida Nurses Association will identify other stakeholders (hospitals, healthcare providers, legislators,
and the public) and work collaboratively with them to educate about the seriousness of this issue and the
need to help support prevention initiatives.
• The Florida Nurses Association will direct their lobbying firm to advocate on behalf of the organization to
expand Florida Statute784.07 to include all healthcare workers, including nurses, employed or practicing in
a healthcare setting.
• The Florida Nurses Association will establish a Task Force to work collaboratively with other stakeholders to
develop a plan of action.
Historical Reference Proposals
Domestic and Workplace Violence – 9/12/92
Safe and Secure Work Environment
Eradication of Horizontal Violence and Bullying in Nursing- 9/29/07
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