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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Dan Surra |
  
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Surra's ban on mandatory overtime for nurses goes to governor
HARRISBURG, Oct. 8 – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Dan Surra that would prohibit hospitals and other health-care facilities – both private and public – from forcing nurses and other direct patient care workers to work overtime is on its way to the governor's desk to be signed into law.
Surra, D-Elk/Clearfield, said this week's passage of the legislation (H.B. 834) by the House and Senate is the culmination of an effort that has been underway for eight years to end the use of mandatory overtime as a routine staffing strategy at many health-care facilities in Pennsylvania. The legislation has been a top priority for Surra for the past several legislative sessions.
"Getting this legislation passed was a long and difficult process, and it would not have happened without the support and advocacy of this state's nurses and other health-care workers and their supporters," Surra said. "They came to the Capitol year after year to make their voices heard and to make sure lawmakers knew that mandatory overtime was unsafe and unfair for both nurses and their patients. This is a huge victory for both."
The bill prohibits hospitals and other health-care facilities from mandating overtime for nurses except in specific emergencies or when unforeseen staffing shortages could compromise patient safety. While the bill allows nurses to voluntarily work overtime, it prohibits hospitals from disciplining or firing nurses who refuse to work overtime.
"As Pennsylvania moves forward on a number of tracks to improve the health-care system, this is an important part of that effort," he said. "While this is primarily an issue of patient safety, it also is a step in the right direction for the safety of health-care workers and the health-care industry overall."
Surra said when the governor signs the bill, Pennsylvania will join a growing list of states that have banned mandatory overtime for nurses and other patient care workers. Numerous studies have shown that mandatory overtime puts nurses at greater risk of making medical errors, increasing the long-term cost of health care.
The practice also impacts the families of many nurses. In some facilities, nurses are routinely forced to work multiple shifts without prior notice, making it difficult or impossible to make arrangements for child care and other family responsibilities. This has led many nurses to leave the profession.
"In other states that have already taken action, the ban on mandatory overtime has not caused staffing emergencies or a health-care crisis," Surra said. "In fact, more nurses are entering the profession, performing well, and are more confident about their ability to provide the best care possible for their patients.
"That is what nurses – and patients – in Pennsylvania want and deserve, and this legislation will give it to them."
The governor has said that he will sign the bill into law.
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