MIAMI, FL – Nurses and licensed caregivers from South Florida hospitals will join State Senator Maria Sachs (D-District 34) and other state legislators as they announce the filing of legislation that would close a dubious loophole that has hung over the heads of licensed caregivers for years. According the Nurse Practice Act, licensed caregivers can face discipline from the Florida Board of Nursing if they take patient assignments that require experience or education that they do not have, or for which they are not competent due to the level of patient care required in a specific workgroup setting. However, these same caregivers can also be disciplined and/or fired from their jobs for insubordination for following state law.
“I can’t imagine the mental stress and anguish that some of our vital caregivers are experiencing when faced with following the law and protecting patients versus potentially losing their jobs or being disciplined,” said Sen. Sachs. “I, frankly, was shocked to hear this. As legislators, we have to ensure that the necessary laws are in place to protect hardworking nurses and other licensed caregivers, especially when they are advocating for patients. No corporate policy should trump state law.”
Who: Nurses, licensed caregivers along with State Sen. Maria Sachs
What: Tele-Press Conference
Dial-In: Contact jose.suarez@1199.org for dial-in info
When: Tuesday, January 27th, 2015 at 12:30 PM
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Florida represents more than 25,000 nurses and healthcare workers throughout the state and 400,000 workers across Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, and Washington, D.C., 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union.
“I can’t imagine the mental stress and anguish that some of our vital caregivers are experiencing when faced with following the law and protecting patients versus potentially losing their jobs or being disciplined,” said Sen. Sachs. “I, frankly, was shocked to hear this. As legislators, we have to ensure that the necessary laws are in place to protect hardworking nurses and other licensed caregivers, especially when they are advocating for patients. No corporate policy should trump state law.”
Who: Nurses, licensed caregivers along with State Sen. Maria Sachs
What: Tele-Press Conference
Dial-In: Contact jose.suarez@1199.org for dial-in info
When: Tuesday, January 27th, 2015 at 12:30 PM
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East Florida represents more than 25,000 nurses and healthcare workers throughout the state and 400,000 workers across Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, and Washington, D.C., 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million-member Service Employees International Union.
