Stack Praises 'Noble' Nursing Profession at Nurses Day Rally

PHILADELPHIA, MAY 7, 2009 — State Sen. Mike Stack today praised the efforts of all nurses while pledging his support for better laws that help improve nurses’ job performance at a Nurses Day rally, held at Temple University Hospital.

“Nurses are the ones who provide constant attention to patients, and they do it with compassion and care,” Stack said. “They deserve to be treated with respect and they deserve to be given every opportunity and resource to be the best health care providers they can be.”

A new Pennsylvania law passed last year that regulates mandatory overtime for nurses. This new law will improve patient safety and working conditions for health-care providers, Stack said.

“Study after study has shown that overworked, tired, and understaffed health care workers are detrimental to hospitals,” Stack said. “It’s not productive to burn out otherwise talented nurses and it’s not fair to patients.”

This year, Stack is the co-sponsor of legislation (Senate Bill 742) that would require specific nurse-to-patient ratios. The measure would help nurses to focus on the needs of their patients.

Stack also told the crowd of nurses and other union members that he is outraged that Northeastern Hospital, a Temple University-run facility located in Port Richmond, is closing.

“This hospital was the lifeline of the river wards communities, and I know it has a talented and caring staff that has taken care of the community for decades,” Stack said.  “I am working with my colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives to ensure that health services remain in the community and that the nurses at Northeastern Hospital don’t lose their jobs.”

###