Columbus, Ohio – November 14, 2023 – Today, registered nurses with the Ohio State University Nurses Organization (OSUNO) marched into the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) Board of Trustees meeting demanding safe staffing and workplace safety.
The march was designed to keep the issue of understaffing and workplace violence at the forefront to push the OSUWMC trustees to act immediately to protect patients, nurses, and all healthcare professionals at OSUWMC.
“Nurses are fed up and today’s march shows that we are a collective voice speaking for nurses at all Ohio hospitals especially those without a union voice,” said Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, CCRN, Ohio Nurses Association President and Executive Director. “Nurses want to provide the best care they can without worrying about being overworked, undervalued or hurt on the job.”
“We’ve been demanding for years that leadership at OSU Wexner Medical Center do something about understaffing and workplace violence at the hospital,” said Amy Pompeii RN-BC, Ohio State University Nurses Organization President-Elect. “Although we made great strides by successfully negotiating safe minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in our last two nursing contracts, there is still much more work to be done. It’s time OSUWMC starts prioritizing protecting patients and nurses!”
OSUNO’s march is just one of many initiatives supported by the Ohio Nurses Association’s CODE RED campaign that focuses on the issue of understaffing and workplace violence in Ohio’s hospitals.
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About ONA
Formed in 1904, the Ohio Nurses Association is a powerful network of nurses and health professionals. Our mission is to unite and empower nurses and health professionals, championing their rights, promoting professional practice, and advocating for quality care for all patients in Ohio, while fostering a strong and cohesive professional union community. To learn more or to become a member of the Ohio Nurses Association, visit www.ohnurses.org.
Contact: Michelle Day
Director of Communications & Technology
Cell: (614) 205-4574
mday@ohnurses.org