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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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/ 

 

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