EP 92 National Nurses United Responds to Workplace Violence

In this episode of Nurses Uncorked, Nurse Erica and Nurse Jessica Sites welcome Michelle Mahon, Director of Nursing Practice at the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United (NNU). They discuss the ongoing advocacy for federal nurse-patient staffing ratios and the pressing issue of workplace violence in nursing. Michelle responds to backlash from a recent interview given by NNU's Industrial Hygienist. The conversation highlights NNU's commitment to improving workplace safety and advocating for comprehensive healthcare solutions. In this conversation, Michelle Mahon discusses the importance of organizing, solidarity among nurses and the critical role of safe staffing in preventing such incidents. Michelle emphasizes the significance of collective action among nurses and the need for mental health support in the face of workplace challenges. The discussion also touches on the importance of Medicare for All in shifting the focus from profit to patient care, and the structure of the National Nurses United (NNU) and its affiliates in advocating for nurses' rights and healthcare justice. 

 

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Interested in Sponsoring the Show?  Email with the subject NURSES UNCORKED SPONSOR to [e-mail]    Help Us Keep This Podcast going and become an official Patron of Nurses Uncorked! Gain early access to episodes, patron only bonus episodes, giveaways and earn the title of becoming either a Wine Cork, Wine Bottle, Decanter, Grand Preserve, or even a Vineyard member for exclusive benefits! Benefits also include patron only Zoom parties, newsletters, shout-outs, and much more.   https://patron.podbean.com/nursesuncorkedpodcast   Chapters: 02:20 Introduction 03:21 Cocktail of the Week 04:17 Guest Introduction 05:05 Federal Nurse-Patient Ratios: Current Status 09:29 Industrial Hygienist Interview 23:37 Workplace Violence Correlates to Staffing Issues 25:57 Advice for Nurses in Fear of Workplace Violence 29:10 Channeling Pain into Action 32:44 Organizing for Change 34:58 Rank and File Members 36:39 Non-Union Nurses Can Get Involved 39:50 Local and National Actions 42:34 Understanding Medicare for All 47:28 Enema of the Week Award 49:56 The Structure of NNU and Its Affiliates   Sources: National Nurses United: https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/  Petition: https://act.nnu.org/sign/wpv-petition-2025/  The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act S.B.1176, H.R. 2663:  https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2663  Industrial Hygienist Interview: https://cbs12.com/news/local/nurse-attacked-by-patient-likely-to-lose-use-of-both-eyes-according-to-arrest-report-brutal-assault-on-nurse-at-loxahatchee-hospital-highlights-mental-health-care-challenges-palm-beach-county-sheriffs-office-south-florida-february-19-2025    Cocktail of the Week: Castello Del Poggio Moscato https://castellodelpoggio.com/wine/moscato/