[bluesky]

Originally Posted by wtbcrna

If you would take the time to go back and look at the problems that unions have caused in the U.S. as well as helped you would understand where that comment comes from. At what point is there enough benefits...? There are thousands of out of work people because their unions basically put them out of job. I am for cutting any CEOs salary, but over a large hospital system with thousands of nurses how far do really think that will go?
If you don't care if the hospital system goes bankrupt why not just go find a new job now, and what will happen to your pension if the hospital goes bankrupt?

Please feel free to list any healthcare organizations that have closed related to union activity. Please also present your evidence of such a causal relationship.

Thanks!

[micurn55]

I wish we had more union hospitals in Ohio. Almost the only way to make real money here as a nurse is to work agency. My observation is that the benefits are getting really bad too. HOw long before smokers and "overweight" people can not get any healthcare benefits at all working at a hospital?

[Chico David RN]

What has historically driven jobs out of this country more than anything else is the development of a piratical business ethic in which no amount of profit is ever "enough". And unfortunately, in a business model, profit driven healthcare system, even the non-profit hospitals tend to act like sharks, with little regard for either their patients or their workers.

Here's my basic take on unions in nursing:
The defining characteristic of a profession is that a profession sets its own standards for practice.
The defining characteristic of nursing as a profession is our obligation and calling to act as patient advocates.

Try doing either of those as a lone nurse when what you believe is right seriously conflicts with your employers imperative to make money. You'll get the opportunity to find a new job real soon.

We can only set our own practice standards and act as effective patient advocates when we do it in concert with other nurses. And the more nurses do it together, the better we are.

The most professional act a nurse can do is to join together with other nurses to assert their control of their profession.

The hospital you work for is almost certainly a member of both state and national hospital associations. Their dues to belong run to the tens or hundreds of thousands. They think it's a good investment because they know that there is power in numbers.

The CEO and other senior managers at your hospital almost certainly have written contracts setting the terms of their employment. Those contracts likely guarantee them generous severence if they are fired. But without a union, almost anywhere in the US you are an "at will" employee with no rights whatsoever except for a few forms of banned discrimination.

Most Americans suffer from the illusion that the law somehow protects them against gross unfairness at work. But it doesn't. You can't be fired because of your race or gender or age. But guess what: it's perfectly legal to fire you for absolutely no reason at all.

Whew. Once I get going, it's hard to stop. Enough for now.

Oh and one last thing: a union, at least a good union, is not "just another business" The union staff make decent salaries, but they work damn hard for it. The decisions are made by member leaders who mostly donate their time (I'm one of them in my union). Nobody makes a profit and the money all goes back to the cause of winning better contracts, organizing more nurses and building the power to make a better healthcare system where the needs of patients and those who care for them take precedence over the bottom line.

[Alex_RN2b09]

You're in luck everyone!

I want to go into federal policy and represent nurses on a national level in Washington. Reading all the debate on this forum is wonderful it's great to see people being politically aware and expressing their opinions. Nursing contains a very diverse group of people, I want to help solidify that group into a powerful force for change and reform. I just wanted to let you know there may be some hope for the future, so don't give up just yet!


-A young and idealistic student

[RN Power Ohio]

AlexRN09,

Keep your ideals! Don't let anyone tell you they are niave, silly or far-fetched. Then you will be a great advocate. Can't wait for you to get in there and do your thing!

[StopForeignNurses]

Kindred Healthcare (Harborlights Nursing and Rehab Center) in South Boston is notorious for firing American Nurses and then replacing them with Foreign Contract Nurses who are de-facto slaves. The most obey their Kindred Masters less they lose their job, and work visa and be deported. American Nurses would never allow themselves to be abused by such a greedy and cruel Employer. Kindred Healthcare is about profits not people or patriotism.

[herring_RN]

I've attended classes with Kindred nurses who were so concerned for their patients under illegal unsafe staffing they reminded me of veterans with PTSD.
Except they were going back.

ALL nurses should be paid the same regardless of how long they have been here.
Any less is unfair to them, to American nurses, and our patients.