I want to start by THANKING the two RN's
from Kansis City who were seen on CNN News
last night. (I believe that they were
representing the Federation of Nursing.)
They were featured on the story "Nursing
Shortage." (The story can be heard every
hour on CNN. --And NO this is not an
advertisement for CNN. I do not prefer
their broadcasting ability.)
This story was just a start in the battle
we are "getting" ready to fight. I am sure
most of us all have already faced
the 'crunch, but for those who have not, GET
READY!!! We, as nurses, need to stand up
and tell our stories just like these two
did.
I work at a facility that does not have a
union, but our sister facility does. Most
nurses from that facility have stated that
the union has helped them. Others disagree,
stating that the Union has only taken their
money. I have never believed in unions,
maybe because I naver have been a part of
one. I do believe that our PROFESSION is
hurting and that something needs to be
done. Maybe, UNIONS can ba an answer. But
I was 'told' (by a very respected instructor)
as a student nurse, that being a member of a
union is "UNPROFESSIONAL." She told me that
NURSES should do their own 'fighting.' She
stated, "This is why we have nursing
organizations!!!!"
I asked myself the question, "How can
unions be 'unprofessional?'" Look at all
those teachers that belong to unions. Are
they considered unprofessional because they
are part of a union??? They typically get
MOST of what they want and also get sympathy
from the public. (And YES, MOST of the
time.) My mother is a teacher and she
belongs to a union that works hard for her.
She is very well respected of in the
teaching community. I also know that she is
quite professional even with a membership in
a union.
As our profession moves into the 21st
century, will it take a union to get the
ball rolling to make a change? Or can WE as
a PROFESSION stand up together like these
two RN's ( Julie and Leslie) did to fight
for what we believe?
If you believe that WE as a Profession
can "hold strong" and fight for ourselves
please post reply ways each of us can do so
in our daily lives!!!!
If you feel that we need help and that
Unions are the answer, please post reply
why!!!!!
OR-- If you are a Union member and your
union has helped your working environment,
please post reply and tell us about it.
I hope you all think about this and talk
about it with other nurses.
Hope to hear from you on the BB!
StaceRacer1
[This message has been edited by StaceRacer1 (edited April 20, 2001).]
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THANK YOU to the Kansis City RN's
