Washington state senator sparks backlash for saying nurses spend time ‘playing cards’
Published by THE HILL on 4/20/19 (Source)
A Washington state senator faced backlash this week after she remarked that some nurses spend portions of their day "playing cards."
Maureen Walsh (R) made the comments while discussing a bill on the state Senate floor that would require uninterrupted meal and rest breaks for nurses, The Spokane Spokesman-Review reported.
The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), which opposed the amendment, denounced Walsh’s comments, calling them “incredibly disrespectful and patronizing.” The group said that working unplanned overtime can lead to a lower quality of care, higher burnout rates, decreased patient satisfaction and increased errors.