Masschusetts Nurse | April 2000

Workplace violence is not "part of the job"
By Evelyn Bain

On Thursday, February 24, the Cabinet for Labor Relations convened a Task Force on Workplace Violence. The Domestic Violence Task Force signed on to lend its experience and expertise. The MNA Task Force on Workplace Violence will develop a comprehensive plan to address this escalating epidemic in health care settings. 

Although this issue has long been a concern for members and their co-workers, the catalyst for forming the task force was a recent episode in a Quincy mental health facility compounded by the cruelty suffered by the injured nurse in the Quincy District Court.

A nurse was brutally assaulted by a client and made the decision to file criminal charges. During the court hearing, the magistrate declared "that's part of the job" and dismissed the case. In spite of this second "beating" by the magistrate, the nurse persisted and won an appeal. At the time of the appeal, this time before a judge with the same attitude as the magistrate, the nurse was again chastised for her actions. 

This assault and the magistrate's response had been discussed at the Cabinet for Labor Relations meeting in January. Leslie Sullivan, Cabinet member and Chairperson of NursePlan, called for forming a Task Force to address workplace violence. 
Cabinet members unanimously agreed that the MNA should speak with a powerful voice and develop commanding strategies to protect nurses. 

The initial charges to the task force included:

• Education of nurses

• Education of external authorities (courts, law enforcement, legislators)

• Legislation 

Eleven MNA members, including five from the Domestic Violence Task Force, joined together at MNA Headquarters in 
Canton to develop the plan to address these unacceptable horrors in the work life of nurses and others. Karen Higgins, chairperson of the Cabinet for Labor Relations, chaired the meeting. Two task force members are distinguished authors and lecturers in several aspects of violence, Annie Lewis O'Connor in domestic violence and Marilyn Lanza, on workplace violence. 

Several members of the task force had survived attacks by patients/clients and shared their stories. The horror of these attacks and their physical and emotional consequences were evident to all who heard their stories. One nurse had been treated fairly in court but was treated shamefully by her facility and supervisors. No support services were offered and there was no compassion offered by supervisors and no recognition of her need to heal both physically and emotionally. Once the physical injuries had healed, the emotional pain was exacerbated by poorly organized support services and lack of compassion.

Domestic Violence Task Force members, with their extensive knowledge of the judicial system, had many concerns relating to the Quincy incident and nurse's treatment by the court. Where was the court-appointed advocate that is required by law for victims of violence? Why was the victim treated with no respect by the magistrate and then the judge? They will seek answers to these questions directly from the district attorney. 

With the compassion, caring and conviction of 11 energized nurses, working on an issue of preventable injuries, poorly organized treatment and support services, and loaded with educational opportunities, the campaign for the MNA response to workplace violence began to take shape. 

The group identified the following immediate objectives: 

• Organize a meeting with the district attorney and the task force to address issues of respect and advocacy for nurses who file charges related to workplace violence

• Develop and distribute a brochure to help nurses and other victims to understand their rights in the court system

• Identify an organized response system within local MNA professional (bargaining) units to assist nurses who have been assaulted

• Develop contract language that addresses issues related to assaults such as staffing, training and an organized and appropriate response to victims

• Identify and promote programs that reduce assaults on nurses and other health care workers 

Other MNA members who attended the organizational meeting were Rosemary Connors, Rosemary O'Brien, Mary Wyzynski, Mary Costanza, Elizabeth Garvey, Mary Gagne, Ann Brady and Jessica Berger.

The next meetings of the task force will be April 18 and May 30 at MNA Headquarters from 6 to 8 p.m. All MNA members are invited to participate.

Domestic Violence Task Force meetings will immediately precede the Task Force on. Workplace Violence meetings from 5 to 6 p.m.

If you are interested in participating or want more information contact Evie Bain, MNA Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at 800.882.2056, x776 or at eviebain@mnarn.org