The Registered Nurses Union says it’s not getting support from the health authority in addressing violence in healthcare settings.

Yvette Coffey says violence against her members is on the rise, and she claims NLHS managers are dismissing their concerns.

She believes that violence in the workplace should be seen as criminal.

“We need to be laying those charges. The Crown attorney can determine whether or not the person is fit to stand trial. This has to stop. If we start charging patients and family members and loved ones for assaulting our nurses in the workplace and assaulting other health care workers in the workplace, they won’t be so keen to be raising their voices and verbally and physically assaulting people in the health care system,” she said.

The union wrapped up its convention on Friday by passing numerous resolutions on improving health care, including guaranteeing graduate nurses full-time permanent jobs.

Coffey says Ontario and Nova Scotia have already started poaching nursing students from Newfoundland and Labrador.