2/4/09: Nursing Activism Primer-- Legislation, Lobbying/ Contacting Elected Officials

Ajack,
I don't think you are paranoid at all. I am certain it happens(blacklisting). Independent thinking and the courage to speak your mind are not attributes that are sought after in the current Nursing job market.

AJack, I can empathize with your situation and have been there. The way I have managed is being upfront to squelch gossip, keep working agency, and when I want facility jobs, try to make use of friends in high places to go over HR whenever possible. Hang in there...and don't be afraid to call on old friends!

It is hard to prove this type of blackballing goes on as unscrupulous types fabricate and twist stories, and you may not even find out what they 'have' on you or be able to defend yourself. But a pattern emerges when you apply to 10 facilities and none call you back.....

Being vocal and strong willed, I was asked to be a union organizer (which failed) and then I got hurt on the job. Kisses of death...LOL... but I'm hangin' in there out of sheer stubborness.

Patricia you are so right....thanks for saying this 'out loud'.

Ajack, I know you aren't paranoid. I have seen it happen too many times. We were trying to get a union in our hospital(I no longer work there) The harrassement is simply unbelievable.

Hi mattsmom81, always nice to meet other outspoken and strong-willed nurses.
I am convinced that blacklisting is more prevalent than some would like to believe. I have personal knowledge of an excellent CCRN credentialed nurse who was at constant odds with her nurse manager because she was willing to speak out against policies which tended to deprofessionalize nurses and created unsafe nurse/patient ratios, among other things. After years of harassment, this nurse had had enough and applied for a position in a CCU at another hospital within the same system as her employer. She related to me that after a lengthy, very positive interview with the nurse manager of the CCU to which she had applied, she received a letter from the HR manager several days later stating that another individual had been hired who "better met the requirements of the position" and that there was "no specific weakness on her part". The nurse was flabbergasted. Incidentally, for weeks afterward, the hospital continued to advertise, in the newspaper and on their internet website, nursing positions for the CCU--all shifts, full and parttime!!
I found it interesting that in this time of a nursing shortage crisis, especially critical care nurses, that the hospital did not offer this nurse another position within the hospital. I believe it is shameful how this nurse, and others like her, are treated so poorly because of their willingness to advocate for patient safety and better working conditions for themselves and their colleagues.
I believe that nurses everywhere, who have the desire to promote the profession of nursing, must make a commitment to themselves, to each other, and to their patients, to stand up and be heard. Thank you NRSKarenRN for the legislative links, I have bookmarked them. I intend to become better acquainted with the legislators in my state.
Hospital administrators everywhere should take note: Sign on bonuses and empty promises will not fill your vacancies. Ice cream sundaes during Nurses' Week will not quell the anger and resentment of being treated like an indentured servant. Why would any college educated individual willingly subject himself to the working conditions that are so prevalent in hospitals today? When administrators realize that RNs are not interchangeable with unlicensed patient care assistants perhaps the nursing field will become more attractive. When nurses are afforded the respect they deserve, not to mention the wages and compensation commensurate with their contributions to the health care field, perhaps more college students will select the Nursing major. Until then, don't hold your breath.

I still continue to write to various representatives & I also get to speak to some influential people at Special Olympics fund-raisers.

But, I honestly believe that we need to stand as a large group, in order to "fix" or change the situation. Sometimes, a newspaper ad, an organized march (like the docs do), going on National Public Radio, and/or television. Voices need to be heard..not swept under the rug!!

Until we actively make our VOICES heard, we will continue to work in the environment that we do....because we allow it.

Great post Patricia116!

Thank you, funnygirl_rn, I appreciate your comments.
I am in total agreement with your observations. I was just thinking, after reading your post, that Nurses' Week would be a great time to organize a mini-march. Unfortunate that we have such a short time to plan.
I am so glad I found this nurses' forum. It is wonderful to be able to discuss these issues with nurses who are not willing to sweep the problems under the proverbial rug.
Keep up the great posts!!

Thanks for the links Karen!

You are welcome. Yes, Nurse's Week would be a great time to organize a march...but...not enough time in advance. I am proud to say that I have plenty of friends who are vocal & would march....as well as four Aunts' who are now retired from nursing & would also participate. Maybe someday...soon.

<I was just thinking, after reading your post, that Nurses' Week would be a great time to organize a mini-march. Unfortunate that we have such a short time to plan.>
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<Yes, Nurse's Week would be a great time to organize a march...but...not enough time in advance.>


A DC Rally and much more has already been planned, scheduled, and organized by nurses of 7 unions of the AFL-CIO and its in the works. For more info, see thread titled "Nurses Rally in DC Scheduled for May 6th". Feel free to copy that post & pass it along to your aunts or post wherever you like. There will be nurses rallies at state capitols all across the country during Nurses Week, with the one in DC happening on Nurses Day. Have fun!

jt....thanks..I did see your other thread after I previously posted above. Anyways, yesiree...I already down-loaded, copied, & fowarded the site/info to my friends, co-workers, cousins & Aunts ...who are all nurses. Many of us will be on the metro to D.C. on the 6th. Do you know what time it starts? Again, thanks so much for all your great posts & information. I really do enjoy reading them! Hope that week is a noteworthy one! You have fun too!