October 26, 2022

For Immediate Release

For more information contact: Communications Director Charlotte Baez-Diaz

charlotte.baez-diaz@georgianurses.org

 

GNA statement on the senseless murders of healthcare workers in North Carolina and Texas

Atlanta – The tragic events that transpired on October 18 and 22, 2022 in North Carolina and Texas have shaken the healthcare community to its core. “Healthcare professionals who were providing care to patients and their family members were brutally killed in senseless acts of violence”, said GNA President Dr. Dina Hewett. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the devastated families and loved ones of June Onkunki, from North Carolina, and Jacqueline Ama Pokuaa and Annette Flowers, from Texas,” expressed Hewett.

Unfortunately, news like this is not a surprise anymore.

“Hospitals and other health care facilities provide therapeutic and holistic care in a safe and comforting environment,” added GNA Director of Nursing Practice and Advocacy Dr. Joy King. “Unfortunately, these settings have become increasingly more violent within the past several years. Specifically, nurses have experienced an increase in workplace violence at alarming rates since the onset of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” King stated.

According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), 1 in 4 nurses are assaulted while providing care for patients (ANA, 2021). At the beginning of the pandemic, National Nurses United surveyed 15,000 registered nurses throughout the U.S. and found 20% experienced an increased workplace violence (National Nurses United, 2020). Also, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than other workers (U.S. Bureau of Labor, 2019). With consideration of these findings, it has been estimated that workplace violence causes 17.2% of nurses to leave their job every year (NSI Nursing Solutions, 2019).

Advocacy for the safety and wellbeing of all nurses is a top priority of Georgia Nurses Association. We will continue to work for required systems and processes that ensure the safety and protection of healthcare professionals without fear of abuse or violence.

Again, to the families and loved ones of June, Jaqueline, and Annette, our hearts are with you.

 

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