If I could I'd run this hospital without nurses

gitterbug · Nov 3, 2006

Nurses every where feel the stupidity of this remark and the many others that administrations make concerning the "burden of nursing care" in their facilities.

Nurses need to realize we are a drain on corporate profits. If there was a way to run a facility without us, we would be jobless in two seconds.

We are such professionals that union is a dirty word, too bad as a profession, we don't see the need for some sort of banding together to achieve a better working atmosphere, better patient care conditions, and

a return of respect and pride to nursing.

1Tulip · Nov 3, 2006

Nurses every where feel the stupidity of this remark and the many others that administrations make concerning the "burden of nursing care" in their facilities.
Nurses need to realize we are a drain on corporate profits. If there was a way to run a facility without us, we would be jobless in two seconds.
We are such professionals that union is a dirty word, too bad as a profession, we don't see the need for some sort of banding together to achieve a better working atmosphere, better patient care conditions, and
a return of respect and pride to nursing.

Thanks gitterbug. The accusation I am making is very serious. If I can't verify that he said these things, I will assume it's a baseless rumor and will apologize all over myself.

However, here in our state, about 12 yrs ago, the Hospital Associations tried to get the "Non-licensed Assistive Personnel" scam through the legislature. You know, it's the deal where they can scrape any high-school dropout crack head minor felon out from under a rock, pay them doo-doo, take responsibility for their "training" and then expect a handful of nurses to supervise them. All of this circumventing the State Board of Nursing.

Our legislature meets Q 2 years. This is the year. Rumor has it Hospital interests are going to try it again.

I'm a member of the Nevada Nurses Association. I wish more of my colleagues were as well.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2006

My clinical instructor nearly flips her lid when the topic of how much money Renown has spent on this name change. It is millions of dollars that could have been put to better use: technology, benefits, staffing, etc. I couldn't agree more.

I've yet to work at Renown, but I may be there next semester for peds & OB. So far, I've only been at Saint's...and I must say I really like it there. A LOT...I can see myself working there after graduation. Of course, my experience in future semesters may change my mind once I get a chance to work at Renown.

That comment from Mr. Miller, if true, is absolutely rediculous. I would love to see him save money if nurses are taken out of the picture and patient care goes down the crapper and mortality rates start to skyrocket.

I looked at the NNA site and as a student, I can join with an affordable due. How often are meetings, and are they ever in Northern NV? I found info on their annual conferences and seminars around the state.

In other news, did you hear Washoe County is upset they lost their "county hospital" and is considering changing their name to Renown County?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

gitterbug · Nov 5, 2006

I hear the casino's pay dishwashers well out there. I would work as a dishwasher before I would work in an institution with unlicensed med tech's.

No bull, I worked too long and hard to have my license snatched because a

facility wants to save bucks by allowing med tech's to come onto staff.

Everyone who reads knows Nevada is in a nursing crisis. Too few nurses to do the job. I don't have the answer but I sure don't think med tech's are the way to go. Good luck in the fight, it may take nurses walking with their feet to get the point across to the lawmakers.

Euskadi1946 · Nov 5, 2006

Wow I used to work at both Washoe Med (Renown) and St Mary's when I lived in Reno. I hear there is a big nursing shortage in Nevada and as much as I miss Nevada, I'm very happy with the job I have working for the State of Utah in case management. I graduated from TMCC in 1993

and although I miss the patient contact, there isn't enough money on this earth to ever entice me to go back to floor nursing unless the staffing ratios are changed. However I must admit that I worked on a med/surg unit at Washoe Med and made my bones there but boy did I work my pattutti off!!!

1Tulip · Nov 5, 2006

Dear Gitterbug.

One of the nice things about living in Northern Nevada is that we are only a short drive from the capital. And the state is small enough that any group speaking with a unified voice gets listened to.

And that's good. BUT... if we can't get strong protections legislatively, we may be toast.

I am afraid that nurses may not be able to unionize or otherwise do traditional collective bargaining. This news came to me over the e-mail via the national and state nursing associations, maybe others have read about it elsewhere...

Now, I may not have it totally correct but the gist is...

In a non-medical collective bargaining dispute, the National Labor Relations Board came down with the decision that ANY person who has EVER supervised a subordinate in that factory or facility is considered MANAGEMENT, and thus may NOT organize, bargain, or strike.

I'm pretty sure the decision hasn't been tested in a case involving nurses, but it may be coming soon to a hospital near you! You never know.

Just makes our professional organizations that much more vital.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Nov 5, 2006

More info here as decision HAS been tested:

National Labor Relations Board rules some nurses are supervisors

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Nov 5, 2006

just looked at renoun website.....along with rebranding they are following quint studer's model for patient and clinical excellence.

have you read their fiscal year 2005 nursing annual report.

they are starting on the magnet journey, offer monies for educational conferences etc. just hope that efforts are sustainable.

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 5, 2006

That is what the administrator of "Renown" (the facility formerly known as Washoe Medical Center) is ALLEGED to have said to a group of doctors and their wives two weeks ago. Unfortunately for Jim Miller, some of those spouses were (surprise!) nurses.

*** A question for you Nevada nurses. It the above the same Washoe I see all that flash advertizing in AJN and other nursing mags for? Their adds make it seem so nice that I have considered re-locating to work there.

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Nov 6, 2006

*** A question for you Nevada nurses. It the above the same Washoe I see all that flash advertizing in AJN and other nursing mags for? Their adds make it seem so nice that I have considered re-locating to work there.

I'm sure it is, especially if the advertisement is for jobs in Reno. You'll probably notice the ads changing to the Renown name.

I tried looking for the ads in AJN, but I only have online access through the university and it only displays the articles...no ads.

Good Doogie · Dec 4, 2006

As a recent employee of Washoe/Renown I am not that surprised by the comment from Mr. Miller. The ratios are terrible (at least Med/Surg where I worked). It was hard to find RN's or CNA's that were truly enjoying working there. At the same time they are going for Magnet??? Are you kidding me? Tulip1, I am very interested to see if those comments actually were true. Keep us posted! Thanks