K Brookland
The Brunswickan

A position statement aimed at reducing violence against nurses in the workplace was ratified by the Board of Directors of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick.

Ruth Rogers, Nursing Practice Consultant for the NANB, says that nursing students at UNB would be exposed to the same hazards in their clinical work as nurses in the workplace.

"Violence does not just mean physical violence, but verbal and emotional abuse as well as sexual harassment," says Rogers.

Roxanne Tarjan, president of the NANB, said "As a group of professionals the Board of Directors stated its position on violence in the workplace. The rate of incidence recognizes that a problem does exist and that we must turn this situation around.

"Research shows that nurses experience high rates of verbal and emotional abuse, physical violence and sexual harassment in the course of their work from a variety of sources including patients, families of patients and co-workers," Tarjan said.

Tarjan went on to say the NANB's position is one of zero tolerance. "A safe and secure work environment is an undeniable right of every nurse and is an essential element in providing quality care. Individual nurses, employers, government and nursing organizations have a shared responsibility in promoting changes in societal attitudes regarding violence."

An accompanying position statement dealt with outlining when and under what circumstances nurses can provide non -traditional, complementary therapies.

Lucille Auffrey, NANB executive director referring to the position statement on complementary therapies said, "public safety was the basis for looking at this issue." Auffrey outlined the standards and guidelines that must be set down, some of which included successful completion of a formal education program in the particular area and ensuring client access to information to ensure there is informed consent.

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