Unions: What's the big deal

[artistnurse]

As an upper level student, this is one of the questions that I'll have to consider. Even as an office worker in a hospital I happened to go to lunch with two directors who told me the perils of unions and why they're sooo terrible. Any thoughts?

[forrester]

I think it really depends on the union.

A union run by practicing RN's is the only way to go. To many of the other unions (SEIU, Teamsters, etc.) have a direct tie in and work in tendem with the administraitons.

The CNA/NNOC represents a new direction for nurses.

I urge all unionized nurses to re-evaluate thier status and move to align themselves with this empowering group.

Those nurses without union representation should join the NNOC and start the move towards truly empowering our profession.

Remember, it is not about us, it is about protecting our patients. Sure, the CNA/NNOC has the best contracts, increased salaries, and things like retirement plans, but the core essence of doing all this is to become the patient advocates we are supposed to be.

It is not about "protecting" incompetence. Incompetent nurses should be removed from practice, unionized or not. Just be sure the pot is not calling the kettle black, so to speak.

[miss81, BSN, RN]

Here we have 2 bodies that represent/govern nursing, the Nursing Union and Association of RN's. The union helps protect nurses against unfair treatment by management, helps set up pensions and benefits and bargain for fair wages. The association helps ensure nurses are competent, disciplined when needed and advocate for patient's. Both groups work together. However, I have found that the union is made up of RN's that still work at the bedside or did for many years. The Association. on the other hand, is comprised of management nurses. Almost all nurses in our province belong to the same union (different locals of the union). These two bodies do a good job of advocating for nurses and patients. Sure, we all became nurses to "take care of people," but I'm not so naive to think that we are all martyrs and do this out of the "goodness of our hearts". I'm not Mother Teresa, I'm a professional with a university degree and I deserve to be compensated and treated fairly! My union does that well!

[forrester]

here we have 2 bodies that represent/govern nursing, the nursing union and association of rn's. the union helps protect nurses against unfair treatment by management, helps set up pensions and benefits and bargain for fair wages. the association helps ensure nurses are competent, disciplined when needed and advocate for patient's. both groups work together. however, i have found that the union is made up of rn's that still work at the bedside or did for many years. the association. on the other hand, is comprised of management nurses. almost all nurses in our province belong to the same union (different locals of the union). these two bodies do a good job of advocating for nurses and patients. sure, we all became nurses to "take care of people," but i'm not so naive to think that we are all martyrs and do this out of the "goodness of our hearts". i'm not mother teresa, i'm a professional with a university degree and i deserve to be compensated and treated fairly! my union does that well!

i assume you mean the ana?

actually, it is the bon that does most of this.

while some associations do control the nclex exam, for example, to control minimal standards for entry into the profession, it is the state bon's that discipline nurses through their mandate to protect the public.

the ana has been a major diasappointment for the profession of nursing.

the 1993 safe staffing initiative is only one example of this failure. here we are, 16 years later, and the staffing ratio issue is still a major issue for direct care rn's. only one state has ratios in place for icu's, and they have been in place since 1975.

only one state has ratio laws passed.

you are quite correct in noting that the ana is largely comprised of nurse administrators, and the equally ineffective academics (in terms of protecting direct car rn's). these groups are too caught up in their self image as "professionals" and "executives". they are too aligned with the interests of the aha.

if we want anything done, it is up to us to do it.

again, join the nnoc and let's get this ball rolling.

as sherlock holmes would say, "the game is afoot."

[miss81, BSN, RN]

I assume you mean the ANA?

Actually, it is the BON that does most of this.

While some associations do control the NCLEX exam, for example, to control minimal standards for entry into the profession, it is the state BON's that discipline nurses through their mandate to protect the public.

The ANA has been a major diasappointment for the profession of nursing.

The 1993 Safe Staffing Initiative is only one example of this failure. Here we are, 16 years later, and the staffing ratio issue is still a major issue for direct care RN's. Only one state has ratios in place for ICU's, and they have been in place since 1975.

Only one state has ratio laws passed.

You are quite correct in noting that the ANA is largely comprised of nurse administrators, and the equally ineffective academics (in terms of protecting direct car RN's). These groups are too caught up in their self image as "professionals" and "executives". They are too aligned with the interests of the AHA.

If WE want anything done, it is up to US to do it.

Again, join the NNOC and let's get this ball rolling.

As SherlocK Holmes would say, "The game is afoot."

No actually I don't... I'm from Canada

[forrester]

No actually I don't... I'm from Canada

I guess we have more in common than just a language, ey.