The California Nurses Association today enthusiastically welcomed new state regulations by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to assure improved safety for patients, registered nurses, and other staff in lifting and other handling of hospitalized patients.

On a list dominated by top executives of the hospital, insurance, pharmaceutical, and other healthcare industry corporations, National Nurses United Executive Director RoseAnn DeMoro has been named as one of the 100 most influential people in healthcare in the U.S, for the 13th year.

Two major bills, one that expands compensation coverage to healthcare workers who contract the deadly MRSA virus, and another that would protect healthcare workers from workplace violence, won key approvals in the California legislature this week and now move to Governor Brown's desk for his signature.

CNA/NNU called today on federal, state, and county health agencies to adhere to the strictest guidelines in the handling of the first suspected Ebola virus case in the U.S. CNA/NNU pressed Kaiser Permanente S. Sacramento, where the patient is receiving care, for full transparency in the handling of the patient, including the number of shifts RNs and other healthcare workers have worked since Ebola was first suspected, as well as safe nurse staffing, and the availability of timely training, and education.

Three major bills that would greatly expand patient access to doctors and hospitals of their choice, and help protect health care workers from workplace violence and infection by the deadly MRSA virus, won key approvals in the California legislature today.