On the Move, Unprotected: Enforcing the PUMP Act for Home Health Nurses

Background: Over the past decade, home health care has continued to expand and service a diverse group of patients. Home health agencies emphasize both accessible care to patients’ in addition to their commitment to their nursing staff. As home health nursing continues to grow, agencies need to make sure they maintain a nurturing work environment, especially for lactating nurses. In December 2022, The Providing Urgent Maternal Protection (PUMP) For Nursing Mothers Act was signed into law to protect the rights of breastfeeding nurses returning to work. The Providing Urgent Maternal Protection (PUMP) For Nursing Mothers Act mandates employers to implement workplace accommodations for breastfeeding mothers. However, home health care agencies struggle to initiate lactation support due to non-traditional work environments. Aim: Home health nurses are constantly on the go and tend to experience limited breaks due to working independently. Contrary to public belief, the flexibility that comes with this role also consists of last-minute schedule changes that can extend work hours. The environment these nurses are working in makes infant feeding decisions difficult to maintain. The return to work should be an easy transition for nurses and for this to happen, protocols must be put in place. This article serves as a call to action to health care agencies to create lactation policies for their nurses that are tailored towards their work environments to promote the health of nurses and their children. Conclusion: Without workplace accommodations, home health nurses are denied their right to protections that women are receiving in other careers. As home health nursing continues to grow, agencies need to make sure they maintain a nurturing work environment, especially for lactating nurses. Methods mentioned in this article can be used by home health care agencies to support their breastfeeding nurses.