Begley advertorial addresses workforce shortages, workplace violence

A Wall Street Journal advertorial from AONL and the American Hospital Association (AHA) laid out the challenges faced by health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and by hospitals today as they strive to recruit and retain an adequate workforce. Making matters worse, health care workers account for nearly three-quarters of violence-related workplace injuries and illnesses, with hospital workers six times more likely to suffer job violence than private sector workers as a whole. “Workers who dedicate themselves to saving lives deserve a safe environment — free of violence and intimidation — in which to deliver care,” wrote AONL CEO Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, who is also AHA chief nursing officer and senior vice president of workforce. AHA has urged the Department of Justice to support legislation that would give health care workers the same legal protections against assault and intimidation as flight crews and airport workers have under federal law. (AHA News article, 4/25/22)