I am a fellow nurse and former resident of Atlanta. Like so many nurses, I chose this profession to help people, to uphold standards of responsibility, and to contribute something positive to our society. I learned of this case like many of you- in the news and through various nurse blogs. For those of you who don't know, Kayla Proctor is a 24 year old nurse, whose new career to care for cancer patients was abruptly halted after working consecutive night shifts led to a fatality after falling asleep at the wheel, resulting in homicide charges.

All nurses can presumably agree that accidentally causing harm to someone would be a punishment that would forever ruminate in our minds. We all go to work each day (or night), in less than ideal working conditions, likely forfeiting a snack to empty our bladder (or vice versa), and earning just enough to get by. This is especially true in Southern states, where there is no nurse union to advocate for fair wages and safe nurse-patient ratios. I know this all too well, as I started my career as an inpatient cancer nurse and worked for many years in Georgia and Florida- making enough to support myself as a single woman, but not enough to save or thrive. Despite the realities of working as a nurse, we continue to show up in a self-less, thank-less job because of the desire to do good, to care.

Regardless of the fact I do not know Kayla personally, I was shocked and greatly disappointed by the apparent “vertical overcharging”  of this case (see definition at the bottom). This accident could have happened to any tired healthcare worker on their way home. Homicide charges in such cases set a damaging and demoralizing precedent for the hardworking nursing community.

The petition is to appeal to the Forsyth County District Attorney to consider the circumstances around this tragic incident and drop the homicide charges against Kayla Proctor. It is time for the legal system to show compassion to those who have chosen a life of service and care.

How can you help?

SIGN & SHARE (no need for donations at this time). Join us in standing with Kayla and all healthcare professionals across America. I am hoping that by getting signatures of support, even if you choose to do so anonymously, the District Attorney will strongly consider a more appropriate charge, if charges are pursued at all. 

For more information, see the article below.

*See the most recent update in petition post*

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/forsyth-county-nurse-claims-she-fell-asleep-before-fatal-crash-highway-9.amp 

https://nurse.org/news/nurse-fell-asleep-driving-car-crash-

Vertical Overcharging- Also known as Prosecutorial Overcharging, occurs when a prosecutor charges a defendant with a single offense at a higher level than what the facts of the case seem to justify. An example is if a prosecutor charges someone with murder instead of manslaughter, even if the evidence suggests the latter is more likely. The goal of vertical overcharging is often to pressure the defendant into accepting a plea bargain to avoid the risk of a conviction on the more serious charge.

Reference-https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overcharging_(law)