Nurses demand safety and security at St. Joseph’s Hospital

EUREKA, Ca (KIEM)– Nurses at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka stood outside the hospital, fighting for safety and security in the workplace.

The California Nurses Association is asking for St. Joseph’s management to approve a workplace violence prevention proposal.

One nurse tells Redwood News that she got assaulted by one of her patients ten days ago. That resulted in her getting a black eye.

The Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Hospital responded, saying, they continuously work on building a safe working environment for all of their employees.

“So we have a task force that’s been active, that’s already looking at ways to enhance safety. In fact, in the last year, we added a security guard where all visitors have to get a badge,” said Roberta Luskin-Hawk, Chief Executive of St. Joseph Health – Humboldt County.

“So I don’t discredit that they’re trying to put policies in place, said Randee Litten, Charge Nurse of the Emergency Department.  What I want to know is from six months ago that the time my friend was strangled in the emergency room. To ten days ago, when I was punched in the face, what policies have been put in place to keep me safe.”  

Randee tells us that she had a meeting scheduled Monday with St. Joseph’s management about what happened. We’ll continue to follow this story.