(1) The free speech protected by this section includes,
without limitation, any type of spoken, gestured, written,
printed or electronically communicated expression concerning
any matter related to or affecting competent, safe,
therapeutic and effective nursing care by direct care
registered nurses or other health care professionals and
workers at the hospital facility, at facilities within large
health delivery systems or corporate chains that include the
hospital, or more generally within the health care industry.
(2) The content of speech protected by this section
includes, without limitation, the facts and circumstances of
particular events, patient care practices, institutional
actions, policies or conditions that may facilitate or impede
competent, safe, therapeutic and effective nursing practice
and patient care, adverse patient outcomes or incidents,
sentinel and reportable events and arguments in support of or
against hospital policies or practices relating to the
delivery of nursing care.
(3) Protected speech under this section includes the
reporting, internally, externally or publicly, of actions,
conduct, events, practices or other matters that are believed
to constitute:
(i) a violation of Federal, State or local laws or
regulations;
(ii) a breach of applicable codes of professional
ethics, including the professional and ethical
obligations of direct care registered nurses , as
established in the American Nurses Association's
"Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition"
and "Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses With
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