HPAE statement on shooting at Tulsa medical center and other gun violence incidences

Please attribute the following statement to HPAE President Debbie White, RN

Emerson, NJ—The latest tragic shooting in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a stark reminder to all of us that gun violence-in fact, violence in general-not only affects our schools but our healthcare institutions as well. On June 1, a gunman entered a hospital and managed to murder innocent victims. Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise to many of us in healthcare. Statistically, healthcare workers are four times more likely to be assaulted in the workplace than other professions.

In New Jersey, we have laws that obligate employers to create violence prevention programs. Our state must do everything possible to protect our healthcare heroes from all forms of violence. Healthcare workers have experienced enough trauma over the past two years.

We grieve for our sisters and brothers on the front lines in Tulsa, their families, the patients they serve and the entire community. We are disheartened to see a place where many come to seek protection and healing turn into another act of gun violence. We must all work together to end these senseless acts.

Another act of gun violence in our nation, reminds us to never forget the victims of these heinous acts, while we continue to work to prevent them from happening in the future. On June 1st, a gunman entered a hospital and managed to murder innocent victims. Yet, this is not a surprise to many of us in healthcare. Violence in hospitals has been on the rise.

Let this be a warning for those in NJ. We must enforce Violence Prevention programs, which are required by NJ law. Every hospital is required to establish a committee of frontline workers and managers who review violent incidents and establish violence prevention policies. Our frontline healthcare workers have experienced more than enough trauma over the last two years. New Jersey must do everything in its power to protect our healthcare heroes from all forms of violence.

We grieve for our sisters and brothers on the frontlines in Tulsa, their patients and the entire community.  We are disheartened to see a place where many come to seek protection and care had their lives disrupted by another act of gun violence. We must all work together to put an end to gun violence.

For more information, please contact: Michael Allen: (646) 436-7556; mallen@hpae.org