Top 10 Reasons Against Unions

Nurses Union

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Top ten reasons why we don't want a union

10. the union doesn't write my paycheck.

9. unions would rather cause problems than work together.

8. union scale means the best workers are carrying the worst.

7. the people who want a union really need one.

6. too corrupt.

5. too political, too liberal and too partisan.

4. unions are only about power and money for the ones who run the union.

3. unions are negative about everything but how great they are.

2. I like to work steady.

1. I've got too much self respect.

A registered nurse must consistently transfer scientific knowledge from social, biological, and physical sciences in applying the Nursing Process.

A registered nurse must transfer scientific knowledge from social, biological and physical sciences in applying the nursing process. The nursing process is a scientific problem solving method for providing safe, effective, therapeutic nursing care.

The nursing assessment is an analysis and synthesis of data (vital signs, hemodynamics, laboratory and and other test results, observation of the patient's physical condition and behavior, and through information obtained from the patient, family, and others including the physician and other members of the health team.

We must advocate in the best interest of our patients, including doing all we can to help our patients be a comfortable as possible.

Sine I don't need a nurse at this time my comfort is up to me. I advocate for myself and am comfortable

Cut and paste...

Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

So far no answer to why else other than nursing care a person would need to be admitted to a hospital.

Each and every person wirking in a hospital has an important function. Housekeeping is essential to prevent nosocomial infections.

We as nurses know to treat each other with respect and dignity unless they refuse to do the same for others.

Then I pray they learn better. Many people do learn with experience.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I wonder if educators are given the same line about being unprofessional, blue-collar workers for unionizing?

The term "blue collar" is meant to be descriptive of what, exactly?!

It is quite elitist to believe that unions make nurses into some sort of term.

Unions create contracts. Contracts can and do protect nurses. There is not a lot of language in contracts that gives a patient ratio requirement. That is a state to state thing, and there are some states that do not have that regulation. Joint Commission does as well.

What it does allow is for nurses to be heard. Most every upper manager is a business person. Even those who happen to have alphabet soup, many years since they have actually pulled on a pair of scrubs and attempted bedside care. Business people respond to contract language. They really could care less if nurses are emotionally invested in their craft. Business decisions are based on profit. Not compassion.

Hence the disconnect. Nurses base their profession on maintaining function and saving lives. Business people are thinking we shouldn't allow anyone to die until they get paid, and if we happen to save them, well, let's get them the heck outta here before their benefits run out.

This is why a union is important. It is a third party that allows nurses to do what they do, and be more focused on the job at hand as opposed to how much money can be squeezed out of a patient.

We all need to step back and stop using the term "blue collar". We are not a travelling comedy act.

Specializes in Critical care.

Of course I belong. Would never work in a facility without a union. I can't believe the stuff you people put up with in non Union hospitals. Just read some of the horror stories on here from people unprotected.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
You had to look it up..

Nurse: one who attends or assists... That is what we signed up for.. be comfortable with it

I am not sure where or how you practice but I do not "attend or assist". That is not my professional role nor is it the role of the nurses who work with and around me.

Further, your sense that patients are in an acute care hospital because they require medical care is without foundation. Medical care is generally available on an outpatient and ambulatory setting, including surgical intervention. Hospitalization occurs because the individual requires nursing care at a level that cannot be accomplished in another setting, you should get comfortable with that notion.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
You had to look it up..

Nurse: one who attends or assists... That is what we signed up for.. be comfortable with it

You should feel special, it was looked up with the intent of posting the exact definition specifically for YOU as it wasn't clear that you understood what you said!

Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
Cut and paste...

Perhaps you could answer her question...

Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

Nurses poll as the most honest and ethical profession in the United States.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/1654/Honesty-Ethics-Professions.aspx

Nursing ranked as most honest profession

January 6, 2014

A newly released Gallup poll asking Americans to rate honesty and ethics of various professions finds nurses ranked at the top, while members of Congress and lobbyists were once again ranked as least honest.

The poll found that 82 percent of respondents rated the “honesty and ethical standards” of nurses to be “very high or high.”...

... Nurses have topped the Gallup poll of honest professions, conducted from a random sample of over 1000 adults in 50 states, almost every year since 1999...

... “Any nurse will tell you that they will plead, defend, and support the patient in that patient’s best interest,” Jenkins said, “No other profession in healthcare has this quality as much as nursing.”..

... Pharmacists and grade-school teachers also ranked high on the list of professions perceived to be honest and ethical, with each receiving 70 percent of respondents rating their level of honesty as “very high” or “high.”...

http://www.jeffersonpost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?date=20140106&category=news&lopenr=301069983

A person has a right to his or her opinion regarding unions. All unions are not the same. No union can accomplish much without active members.

I do not however let anyone disparage the importance of the work we do.

Our work saves lives and supports people in some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Never think you are ONLY a nurse.

Licensed nurses, nursing assistants, and family caregivers do priceless work.

A union can provide a legal way for us to work together on behalf of our patients to change conditions that are not in their best interest.

A union that helps nurses advocate for our patients is worth a lot.

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

How does one from a small city many miles and hours far away from the State Capitol find out if there is any buzz going on about nursing unionization efforts in their state? I guess I could muddle around on my computer, but I am looking for suggestions. Surely there is some kind of volunteering I could do from here that didn't require money and travel (I live on a very thin budget and have a rickety car.)

I could have really benefited from union representation in 2010 and again, related to the same matter, in 2012. Not denying my complicity in the event that resulted in entirely over-blown and HEAVY-HANDED action by my employer, but I believe I would still be working as a nurse today had I had a union to turn to for support on my behalf. There were so many mitigating circumstances that were the under the control of my employer to change for the better, but which they turned a blind eye to.

Well, it may be water under the bridge for me, but it would give me a lot of satisfaction to keep those waters from drowning another.

Look at what the unions have done to the VA system

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
Look at what the unions have done to the VA system

Specific sites?

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