Begley Calls for Zero Tolerance of Workplace Violence

In a USA Today advertorial this week, AONL CEO Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, stressed the need for federal legislation to protect nurses and other health care workers from workplace violence. “While we may never reduce violence in our hospitals to zero – because we are there to serve in the most challenging settings and circumstances – we can insist on zero tolerance for abusive behavior,” wrote Begley, who is also chief nursing officer and senior vice president of workforce for the American Hospital Association (AHA). “People who dedicate themselves to saving lives deserve a safe environment, free of violence and intimidation.” The AHA has urged the Department of Justice to support legislation giving health care workers legal protections against assault and intimidation. (AHA News article, 4/18/22)