[Video] Nurses Respond to Washington Senator, Maureen Walsh

In the attached video, Senator Walsh makes statements that sent Nurses nationwide into a tailspin. In support of SHB 1155 a bill currently being proposed “Concerning meal and rest breaks and mandatory overtime for certain health care employees.” Senator Walsh made statements about nurses ‘playing cards’ as a rationale that removing mandatory breaks for nurses in Washington would be appropriate.

Nurses Respond to Washington Senator

TGN (The Gypsy Nurse) Network is a group of nurses and healthcare professionals in the travel healthcare field. With nearly 100K members, the remarks of Senator Walsh consumed the group with support for their fellow Washington State Nurses and nurses nationwide. If you are interested in information on what it’s like to work at a Critical Access Hospital, this discussion might be helpful.

The responses of nurses and healthcare practitioners was overwhelming. The meme’s abounded. There were a few rationale voices that stood out and should be heard.

They speak the words that many nurses can support and confirm.

Nurses Respond:

“Time of Death”

I held his hand. I started oxygen on him.

I watched the life leave his eyes as my partner drew up the drugs to allow us to take over his entire respiratory drive.

I passed a tube through his vocal cords and silently begged something greater than us to help us save his life. 

Then I pressed on his chest as tears rolled down my face.

I pumped his heart as best I could from the force of my own arms since his body was no longer doing it for him.

I then watched the physicians and nurses in the ER work tirelessly to attempt to restart his heart; only to hear the words “time of death…”

Source: The Gypsy Nurse Network Facebook 

Nurses put so Much of Ourselves into Caring

I’ve come to believe that the main reason we are soo offended by Senator Walsh’s statement ( as we were by Joy) is because we put so much of ourselves into caring for others. It’s not just that we take care of people, we take care of people when they are at their worst. 

We have been physically assaulted, spit on, vomited on, peed on, defecated on, bled on, verbally abused, and berated by people who have no idea what we actually do.

Source: The Gypsy Nurse NetworkFacebook

There were so many supportive responses…

• A Doctor Replies in Support of Nurses
• Change.org Petition for Senator Walsh to Shadow a Nurse

How can you show your Support to Nurses?

The first thing that you can do is make your voice heard. Meme’s, Twitter, and Facebook posts share your outrage and bring awareness. Let’s get our voices heard where they can make a difference.

Share this article and Contact Senator Walsh and let her know where you stand on SHB 1155.

Contact Senator Maureen Walsh

• Email Senator Maureen Walsh: Maureen.Walsh@leg.wa.gov
• Online Contact Form: Contact Senator Walsh
• Postal Mail: Please include your return postal mailing address when corresponding with a Senate office.
  • Senator Maureen Walsh
     United States Senate
     Washington, D.C. 20510
• Telephone: You may phone the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you request. Contact Senator Walsh: 360-786-7630

Additional Reading:

• I Was Your Nurse Today: A Letter to Patients
• The Fight Over Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios Continues
• I Know Why Nurses Eat Their Young!