FLOURTOWN, PA — Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates is proud to announce the launch of Protect Our Nurses, a comprehensive advocacy campaign designed to address the growing crisis of workplace violence against nurses and healthcare workers. This multi-channel initiative calls for federal legislation and greater public awareness to protect the professionals who ably care for us when we are most vulnerable.
At the helm of the effort is Betty Long, MHA, RN, President, CEO, and Founder of Guardian Nurses, a Philadelphia-based healthcare advocacy organization recognized for its Mobile Care Coordinator® program and awarded the 2023 Edge Runners honor by the American Academy of Nursing.
“According to an analysis by Press Ganey, every 25 minutes, a nurse is assaulted at work,” says Long. “In recent months, the nation has been shaken by harrowing headlines, with a fatal hostage situation in the ICU at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa., and a horrifically violent attack on a nurse at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital.”
These high-profile incidents are not isolated. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in other industries. Nearly half of all nurses report experiencing physical violence, and 68% have faced verbal abuse. The emotional toll is devastating, with many reporting anxiety (85%), depression (60%), and burnout (81%), per the CDC’s 2023 Vital Signs report.
“We believe it’s time to turn outrage into action and demand the same protections for nurses that are already in place for flight crews and other public workers,” explains Long.
Campaign elements include:
- Change.org Petition at ProtectOurNurses.com, urging Congress to pass a bill that would make it a federal crime to assault or intimidate healthcare workers
- Digital Billboards in high-traffic locations across Greater Philadelphia and other regions where Guardian Nurses operates
- Social Media Campaign with the message: Nurses show up for us. It’s time we show up for them.
- Email Outreach to Guardian Nurses partners, clients, and healthcare professionals
- Pop-Up Banner on guardiannurses.com , encouraging immediate action and engagement
Long will also travel to Capitol Hill this June with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership to discuss the issue with legislators.
“We need to shift the narrative,” Long says. “Violence in healthcare settings isn’t just part of the job. It shouldn’t be tolerated. It shouldn’t be downplayed by management. It’s a public health crisis — and we must treat it like one.”
Supporters can sign the petition at ProtectOurNurses.com or visit guardiannurses.com for more information.
About Guardian Nurses:
Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates is a nurse-owned, nurse-run company that has helped thousands of individuals navigate the healthcare system with clarity and compassion since 2003. Through in-person advocacy, the team provides trusted support to patients and families, ensuring improved clinical outcomes.
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