Do Nurses Finally Have a Voice?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 13, 2005

Depends on the workplace. Quite a few of them, you can SAY whatever you want, the question is, are you being listened to while you do it?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2005

Yes, but it's a very slow process. Nurses have made strides in the profression and how it's practiced and taught.

I refuse to play the helpless victim. Whether or not it does any good, I still have a voice. Even if it's stifled by apathy, policitics and economics. :)

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Mar 13, 2005

Yes, but it's a very slow process. Nurses have made strides in the profression and how it's practiced and taught.
I refuse to play the helpless victim. Whether or not it does any good, I still have a voice. Even if it's stifled by apathy, policitics and economics. :)

Same here.. as long as I have a voice, I intend to USE it.

And use it I DO !

But I agree with Marie... whether it does any good all depends on whether anyone is LISTENING. :stone

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 13, 2005

Seems to me in California, at least, they are finding their "voices".

Penguinurse · Mar 29, 2005

I think we're getting better at using our voices - it helps that the national nursing shortage is (finally!) getting press! But we need to become as good at advocating for ourselves as we are at advocating for our patients...my experience is that we will sacrifice ourselves too readily. Our time off, so that we can fill in on the short shifts. Our family relationships, from working too much and taking so long to "wind down" after a 16 hour shift. Our backs, feet, and cardiovascular systems, from lifting, running, and stressing too much! Let's take care of ourselves, so that we can take care of our patients! :icon_hug:

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 16, 2005

yes, but with some issues.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 16, 2005

yes, but with issues

leslie :-D · Jun 20, 2005

i can't make a blanket statement that all nurses have a voice.

we could if we chose to.

speaking for myself as a nurse, i undoubtedly have a voice.

and i am also heard, whether they like it or not.

if it's important enough to command my attention, then i make sure that my concerns are heard.

too many times they have tried to sweep it under the carpet.

i would finally write my professional assessment of the situation, interventions (or lack thereof) and outcome down in the report book; often in the nurse's notes.

every time, panic was rampant, i was heard and the patient got the care they so needed.

i did not do anything illegal but probably politically incorrect. who cares? tptb were total idiots who cared more about $$ saved than the well being of the pt.

so yeah, we can all have voices but there can also be repercussions (getting fired) for doing what is right.

after alot of reflection, there is still nothing i would have done differently.

i effected change in several situations.

my last 'voice' got the facility and DON in alot of trouble, hence the termination.but i know however awkward, i had to speak the truth for the sake of the pts.

ahhh, after 7 yrs, God wanted me out of there anyway.

leslie

live4today, RN · Jun 20, 2005

I voted yes to that question. Yes, nurses have the power to effect change in the workplace, but having power and using that power are on opposite ends of the spectrum. What good is the power and the voice if they are not put into action? :)

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jun 20, 2005

In a hospital where the RNs are still emptying trash and doing the daily commode clean outs I have a voice- we aren't doing commodes anymore, and housekeeping is going to wash the bathroom more than once a day

Woohoo

allnurses Guide · Jun 20, 2005

Each individual nurse has a voice and has a choice about whether to use it or not. I chose to use it. I have always had a voice.

So, I couldn't vote on your poll because none of the answers exactly worked for me.

steph

Do Nurses Finally Have a Voice?

Do Nurses Have the Power to Effect Change?