Bill to Prohibit Nurse Mandatory Overtime to Receive Proponent Testimony
COLUMBUS – Legislation aimed at making Ohio the 19th state to prohibit nurse mandatory overtime will have proponent testimony Wednesday, March 6th at 9:00am. The following interested parties will testify on why nurse fatigue, a consequence of mandatory overtime, poses dangers to patient care:
- Lori Chovanak, MN APRN Chief Executive Officer of Ohio Nurses Association
- Brian Burger, MSN APRN AGACNP-BC CCRN, President of the Ohio Nurses Association
- Emma Jasper, 16-year-old daughter of Beth Jasper, a nurse who passed away after falling asleep at the wheel because of nurse fatigue.
WHAT: House Bill 456 Proponent Testimony
WHERE: Ohio Statehouse, Room 121
WHEN: 9:00am
Fatigue can affect nurses’ ability to deliver optimal patient care. Research demonstrates that fatigue causes an increased risk in errors – a contributing factor to medical errors being the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States according to John Hopkins. Fatigue also causes decline in memory, reduced ability to learn, and impaired mood and communication skills. Further, scientific evidence links long working hours to many health effects, including cardiovascular disease and cancer.
House Bill 456 would give nurses the right to refuse overtime if they feel too fatigued to continue to provide safe patient care without fear of termination or licensure sanctions.
Lori, Brian and Emma are available before and after the hearing for interviews.
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About ONA: Formed in 1904, the Ohio Nurses Association is a powerful network of registered nurses who are committed to advancing nursing through education, political action and workplace advocacy. ONA is the leading voice of the approximately 190,000 professional registered nurses in Ohio. To become a member of the Ohio Nurses Association, visit www.ohnurses.org.
CONTACT:
Molly Homan, Director of Communications
Ohio Nurses Association
O: 614-448-1041|C: 614-746-9914 | mhoman@ohnurses.org