[sockov]

hi AGAIN.... sorry, made a boo boo on the first try....
anyways, who is tired of being underpaid? AND tired of having your benefits reduced? I feel nurses are one of the most underpaid professions out there. No wonder there is a critical shortage!
We monitor to prevent death and harm, and save lifes. SO why the pitiful salary, and cutting off the good benefits? Do others feel this way too?

[nightingale]

You need to serioulsy look into agency nursing! See the new topic and just try it! Goodluck!!!

[Maula, RN]

Okay agency is an answer, but we as nurses are the largest group in healthcare and the most disrespected. You know why we are disrespected? Because we are not united. LPN, ADN, Diploma, BSN-----who can keep up anymore? Nurses we need to unite. We need a united voice--if and when this happens, we can fight for what we want and get it. Also the curriculum for nursing (BSN) needs to include courses in maybe policy, grantwriting, business, or political science because we need to make our voices heard and negotiate in our best interest! How many of us can't even afford to insure out families? And before anybody misunderstands me I am insinuating that we need a union. This is not the issue. We need our voices to be heard and we need an understanding of how to be as one. Look at lawyers and doctors...do they have the same complaints nurses do? No, because they are respected and united. Let's work on being a united profession

[Sleepyeyes]

Sockov, I couldn't agree more.
In fact, I'll bet the only people who are happy about floor nurses' wages and benes are the people paying us.

[ocankhe]

Unions work to increase wages and preserve benefits already won. Have you tried that approach?

[ma kettle]

yeah unions are ok to a degree. Just try starting one. If the managment doesnot find out , you will be extremely luck to find enough nurses willing to take a chance, take the time, or even do the homework neccessary to have a union worth paying the dues for. I have found in my state that many that have tried this venture, looked into other unions, ie teachers teamsters and others. Because the nurses unions don't seem to have any teeth.
Maybe the environment will change with more men coming into the field, but most just want to work, collect a paycheck and go home. They want no more stress factors.
You are right with the fact that nurses need to stand together, but when?
Most leave the profession for other careers. I have also thought of this.
now what?
Sandy

[BadBird]

I agree with all the above. I was the union organizer in a hospital I worked full time at, unfortunately we were not successful. I tried my best and then I smartened up and went Agency, it is the best move I ever made. At least I can say I tried to make a difference. Now, I go to work, take care of my patients and go home, no more mandatory this & that and much less stress, for this I doubled my salary!

Good luck

[l.rae]

You know Johnson&Johnson is promoting nursing, has anyone seen the "I am a nurse commercials"? Perhaps we can start a letter writing campaign to J&J. Tell them they will never bail out the nursing shortage, they might increase nursing school enrolment, but these grads will be out the door in no time unless some major issues are addressed. Any body game? When I have more time later I'm going see if I can log on to a J&J site that has a response area.

[ssaun1508]

I work for an agency and LOVE it. There is no politics or back stabbing, you do your work and don't have to get involved in the politics. If you are sick of a place then you schedule somewhere else. No extra garbage to take home and of course the pay is great 38-40 an hour

[suetje]

Yup, we are. It is frustrating to know your average auto worker gets about the same salary! BUT, JCAHO made a stand last week about how the nursing shortage affects patient outcomes and this may help to convince hospital administrators to realizes they'd better clean up this problem. And you know that this would mean PAY people appropriately. Hang in there!