RNcountry's newest tirade

SeasonedRN · Feb 26, 2001

In case you missed it: posted February 25, 2001 08:11 PM by RNcountry- [Helen Cook from MNM]

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Julie I am trying very, very hard to control what I write here. Why, why, why continue to bring up the past? It is obvious that I did miss the posting from the Ohio UAN rep, does it mean that it cannot be revisited? Of course it does not. I do thank you for bringing it to my attention. It has to be noted that in Mid-November it seemed that the MNM was going to just fall apart didn't it? Why? Because the goal of unity was not being adhered to. There were those that truly felt that this was going to be turned into a UAN event, and it did turn many off. We lost people at that time because of that issue. I said once that there is no use crying over spilt milk and I met it. So why are you persisting in going into events that happened before there was truly an organization that was worthy of the name? It was not the UAN that was opposed to at the time, it was not the ANA, it was specific individuals that were making statements that were inappropriate against other nurses that did not share their point of view. From the beginning the MNM wanted to be able to gather support from various groups with nurses, the goal being to unite ourselves into a voice that would be heard, and heard loudly. The problem came when one person said that they felt that this was turning into a UAN event, that person was vehemently opposed to that. This came on the heels of others who left the group because one of a nurse that were taking a lead in organizing had made a post regarding crossing picket lines, that nurse was also attacked via email. It made everyone feel that if that was the way some were going to behave we would be better off without them. If nursing is going to get better we have to be able to stop thinking it is ok to utilize horizontal abuse against one another. The goal here has to be to move forward. We want that, we are working for that. What happened in the past is called growing pains. A full blown organization that is going to be effective does not grow overnight. And what was in place during the time frame you are referring to could not be referred to as a true working organization by any stetch of the imagination. I do not wish to continue to argue worn out old points. It is a useless waste of time, for me for you. The only thing that the MNM is going to reject is those that feel it is appropriate to attack others with opposing viewpoints, an honest and open dialogue is welcome. We have members that are part of unions, associations and yes, even the ANA. It is not like they are some dragon in the basement. Please quit presenting as if that is the way we feel. We don't. One of the things that must be opening and honestly talked about is nursings use of horizontal abuse against one another, and we have to be able to take a stand and say it is not acceptable. To stand up to others that use it, instead of burying our heads in our chest and acting as if we don't see it. To present what we see in a way that brings attention to it not being appropriate, and attention to those that are doing it. If enough finger pointing occurs against those that are doing it, maybe it will shame them into stopping. That was the point of the letter I wrote back in Dec. I will not shy away from standing up for what I believe is right. And I believe that no change in staffing ratios, mandatory overtime or whistleblower legislation is going to matter a whit if nurses cannot stop doing hurtful and nasty things to one another. That issue is truly the one that is the dragon in the basement. It pulls us apart at a time we need desperately to stand together. Shall we slay the dragon together Julie or will we continue to argue points that have no meaning to what needs to be done? You and I have shared many emails before this all happened and you know and I know that we shared many viewpoints and had a good dialogue for some time, it was only when I felt the line had been crossed in regards to attacking another whose viewpoints you did not share did I end that dialogue. A spirited debate does not need to degenerate into verbal abuse of another nurse. Feel personal animosity towards me if you need to, but please quit attacking the MNM. I cannot say often enough that the march organization is not going to reject anyone, unless they feel that the agenda of their own group must come in front of what is truly a NURSING agenda. One in which all of us should be able to get behind because it addresses issues that are adversely affecting the career field and our patients care. We want to be able to provide a vehicle in which different groups are able to put aside their own animosity towards one another to work for common cause. By requesting that specific groups or members of those groups not put their agendas ahead of the very basic one the MNM has we hope to be able to unite many behind what we are doing. Do I have to keep saying that over and over? I hope not. Some of us belong to the ANA, most do not. Some of us belong to a union, most do not. Shall we reject those that do not belong to either? Shall we reject those that are vehemently opposed to the the ANA or unionization of nurses? We are not going to do that any more than we are going to reject those that do belong to ANA or unions. How silly to do it any other way. It will be counterproductive, when what needs to be has to be productive to be successful. Its like instead of working together we somehow feel a need to have our own group be the one that changes nursing, that changes the way patient care is delivered. It is a stupid struggle for power that has harmed and continues to harm our field. It is not something I wish to participate in. What I want to see is nursing putting aside tired old arguments that have little meaning today when we have patients that lack basic care in our nations hospitals, when we have vulnerable elderly patients literally dying in nursing homes of dehydration, all in the name of the almighty dollar. Bottom line health care is immoral and unethical and grates upon me. I am willing to shout it from the rooftops, and I willing to say that nursing has to get its own house in order as well. Too many times we lose good people because of the politics and nastiness we inflict on one another. Go through the posts right here on this site and read how it affects us and our career field. Do you truly want to perpetuate it? I don't. That is why I am answering you Julie. If you truly do not feel you can support the MNM so be it. But taunting me is not going to change its mission, it is not going to stop us from continuing to organize and reach out to those we hope will be able to feel comfortable in endorsing what we are all about. And that includes the ANA and the UAN when the time is right. As a representative of the Million Nurse March I will continue to say that. I cannot stop you from putting out misinformation in regards to what is happening with the organization now, I can state what we are all about and I can say with confidence that what happened in the past happened because we were a loosely knit group that at times were working at cross purposes until we were able to formulate an effective organization. I don't feel that is anything to be ashamed of, it is the truth. Things needed to gel before we could do much of anything that had any real meaning, but it is useless to continue to revisit the point any further from here. It matters not a whit anymore. So say what you feel you must. We will continue on dedicated and committed to our vision and mission statement.

Charles S. Smith, RN, MS · Feb 26, 2001

Originally posted by SeasonedRN:
Helen,

You are what some of us have come to refer to as a "Horizontal Hypocrite." A self righteous attacker hiding behind the veil of "horizontal violence" -a term coined by a few insecure nurse hiding behind computers who cant accept direct confrontation or challenging of their own opinions, and so call it abuse.
That "finger pointing" you did in December maliciously slandered some very strong patient/nurse advocates-and without just cause-just your own misinterpretation, misinformation and response to gossip.
So it is OK for you to attack and publicly professionally defame others, as long as YOU think you are right?

When you get appointed as a Supreme Court Justice, let us know. Until then, all our opinions are as good as yours, whether we agree to them or not.
I saw the MNM was noted in the CNA Revolution magazine. Good for you. Maybe they will jump in and save you and your organization. You sure need the help.

Thank you for posting RNCountry's very thoughtful commentary on what the grassroots issue is for the MNM. What I take away from her post is the need to move away from the labels of organizations and move toward the common thread that unites us all....the fact that we are humans FIRST, nurses SECOND and members of organizations THIRD; that nurses are challenged with our own unique set of circumstances to which we can all relate and for which various organizations have attempted remedies based on a set of perspectives driven by the individual organizations. What I also take away from her post is that she (Helen) is committed to hearing and engaging every nurisng voice (individual and collective) that can support the foundational issues that face us all. That means that we look outside of the organization to which we belong and search for a different perspective to stand in long enough to appreciate the commonality of our collective struggle. For many nurses, peeling back the layers to the foundational issue will be tough, but absolutely do-able. I believe, however, from what I read there is a viable intent to offer all nurses the opportunity to try on different hats and learn from one another in a non-critical, non-pejorative way. What would it be like to have even one day when all nurses can agree that we have problems and we can agree on what the problems are? We don't have to solve the problems on the spot, but we do need to demonstrate concensus of the nature of the problems so we can each align with whatever group we choose to work toward a solution. There are common problems and many solutions to those problems. There is no quick fix, but there is an opportunity to be purposeful and powerful in our efforts to identify our commoon challenges. Again, i really appreciate the opportunity to read Helen's comments. I applaud them.

best regards

chas

oramar · Feb 26, 2001

Any time I see a post that says rncountry I stop and read it carefully. I also take time to think about what it says. Her post have always impressed me as intellegent and insightful. I wish I could write half as well. I do not always agree with her point of view but then I do not always agree with anybody.

natalie · Feb 27, 2001

I also commend rncountry for her passion and involvement in MNM. However, there were a few buzzwords layed onto jt that were a full stretch of the truth. That being the insinuation that jt was using "horizontal abuse" and "verbal abuse." I didn't see any of that in her messages. jt merely responded to misinformation regarding ANA's offer of involvement. 'nuff said, I guess, about it.

Tiara · Feb 27, 2001

I think it's time to let go of any problems that were associated with or misperceived regarding the Million Nurse March, and move on. Helen is passionate in her beliefs and that is admirable.

TRN · Feb 27, 2001

RNCOUNTRY deserves applause for the changes she has tried to make in the nursing profession. She had been verbally attacked by many.... but thanked by so many more. I only wish I could meet her in person. I admire her.

Hypoxic Pixel Eyes · Feb 28, 2001

Thanks,

It is obviouse from the two posts,since you were so kind to make sure the other viewpoint

was posted along with yours,which group would ask for my input as a member while passionately and cohesively striving for what was believed to be in the best interest of the nursing profession itself.

I'm a student and I believe that I have a hell of allot to learn about what I even want from the career, let alone what the Profession needs,however,after reading the sense of commitment and pain in that nurses post.I believe that if I am not doing my due diligence for the honor of those that took that abuse before me, then I am only contributing to it and encouraging such disrepair.

Nursing is a nation,not a state.

I'm a new citizen and I'm going to go find out what my "civic duties" are right now.

I suggest the rest of you that haven't given it a thought should do the same.

I would also suggest that both of these nurses have thier viewpoints and no matter whom may lack "the social skills" one is simply more difficult to interpret than the other.They both are expressing needs,in thier way.

If we are going to succed as a profession our anger must be rightious not hurtful,our focus passionate and unrelenting.

In doing so it will be our resolve together.

Thank you so much for what you have done before me.

As promised,I'm going to go find out right now if there is anything I could be doing for this proffession that I aspire to that I claim to have conviction for.

"Proud to want to be a nurse"

Brad Salomon

Dallas,TX

rncountry · Feb 28, 2001

It is uplifing to read the comments under this thread. It demonstrates that the ability to find common ground is there. The brass ring is swinging in front of us, we simply have to have the courage to leap out and grab it! To quote FDR, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Charles S. Smith, RN, MS · Feb 28, 2001

Originally posted by Hypoxic Pixel Eyes:
Thanks,
It is obviouse from the two posts,since you were so kind to make sure the other viewpoint
was posted along with yours,which group would ask for my input as a member while passionately and cohesively striving for what was believed to be in the best interest of the nursing profession itself.
I'm a student and I believe that I have a hell of allot to learn about what I even want from the career, let alone what the Profession needs,however,after reading the sense of commitment and pain in that nurses post.I believe that if I am not doing my due diligence for the honor of those that took that abuse before me, then I am only contributing to it and encouraging such disrepair.
Nursing is a nation,not a state.

I'm a new citizen and I'm going to go find out what my "civic duties" are right now.
I suggest the rest of you that haven't given it a thought should do the same.
I would also suggest that both of these nurses have thier viewpoints and no matter whom may lack "the social skills" one is simply more difficult to interpret than the other.They both are expressing needs,in thier way.
If we are going to succed as a profession our anger must be rightious not hurtful,our focus passionate and unrelenting.
In doing so it will be our resolve together.

Thank you so much for what you have done before me.
As promised,I'm going to go find out right now if there is anything I could be doing for this proffession that I aspire to that I claim to have conviction for.

"Proud to want to be a nurse"
Brad Salomon
Dallas,TX

Brad...what an eloquent line of thought. I certainly am proud to stand by you as human, citizen and nurse. You will truly be an asset in ways you can only imagine. Keep that focus and let no one disuade you.

My hat is off to you!

chas