Workplace Violence, Nurse Well-Being Top ENA Priorities On Capitol Hill
Nearly 200 emergency nurses take part in association’s annual Day on the Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 30, 2025) – Emergency nurses from across the country took to the nation’s capital on Wednesday to emphasize the need for passage of legislation focused on supporting their health, well-being and safety.
As part of the Emergency Nurses Association’s annual Day on the Hill event, nearly 200 members participated in dozens of meetings with members of Congress and their staffers to highlight two key bills – the Save Healthcare Workers Act and the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act – which, respectively, prioritize action to mitigate the epidemic of workplace violence in emergency departments and provide funding for programs which help health care workers with their mental health and well-being needs.
“Since 1999, ENA members have used their voices on Capitol Hill as part of this cornerstone ENA event to bring awareness and call for action on the issues of greatest importance to emergency nurses, their peers and their patients," said ENA President Ryan Oglesby, PHD, MHA, RN, CEN, CFRN, NEA-BC. “Our members take great pride in being fierce advocates, particularly when it comes to protecting health care workers from violence on the job and ensuring there are resources available for those coping with job-related stress and burnout.”
With acts of verbal and physical violence looming over every emergency department, ENA members sought legislator support for making the assault of a health care worker a federal offense, as outlined in the Save Healthcare Workers Act which is poised for reintroduction soon.
ENA enthusiastically backed the Dr. Lorna Breen Act’s initial journey through Congress as it was designed to create funding for programs and resources nurses, physicians and others in health care amid the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. In meetings today, ENA’s advocates urged for this important funding to continue as concerns persist about emergency nurses leaving their jobs because of the personal and professional toll on their health.
Learn more about ENA’s legislative priorities and the association’s actions by visiting ena.org/advocacy.
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The Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With nearly 45,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at www.ena.org.