Please Tell Us If You Are Contacting Legislators/ANA, etc. Re: Nursing Concerns

I just put some info on the 20/20 thread. I'll put them here now. In Calif. there's a senate bill (SB394)- Safe-staffing bill. In Sacramentao on Apri; 6 at 1:30PM there will be a hearing. If you live close to there GO and give your support. The CNA website has all the Calif. legislative item listed under 'Government'. It is really helpful to see what's in the work.This stuff is hard to find out about so if you look you can be weel-informed. Perhaps the other states' nursing associations have a similar set-up.
Sophie

Hello everyone!

Wanted to let you know that I have not had a response from ANA nor the Ohio Bd. of Nsg. Guess it is time to use the "polite" interval & re-write my concerns.
The PACU that I work in is still having many ICU 'holds' due to lack of staffing in the SICU. Recently we have experienced difficulty getting routine surgical patients to the med/surg floors due to their decreased RN positions. It can take several hours to get the patient to a floor. On top of this, we still are functioning as phase 1 PACU nurses for post-op pts. coming out. Least to say-a bad situation for patients, families & staff. Any advice on how others are dealing with this on a day to day basis?
Thanks for the encouragement & support!

[This message has been edited by Gigi Dues (edited March 23, 1999).]

Hi all,
Just wanted to let you know I didn't fall off the face of the earth!! I just emailed the President and The Center for Patient Advocacy. Maybe I might get a response! Still haven't heard from Sen Durbin via snail mail. Might have to write him again. I've heard a few of my co-workers have been reading the BB (including my Supervisor!) PLEASE anyone who is reading this PLEASE, PLEASE get involved. I know everyone cares about the patients so get active and do something about it!! You never know when your family member will need the care of a nurse and there isn't one around!!
bye
Joellen

Over this past week I have received what can be called "lukewarm" responses at best from my New York State Nurses' Association, and the American Nurses' Association (excerpts of my letter are posted previously on this BB). I am ashamed and appalled to call myself a member of these organizations, and have since cancelled my memberships with scathing letters and looking for a lawyer to see if I can get my dues back on the basis of false representations, or such. These two organizations that are meant to be "for the nurse" are more concerned with management and supervisory ends of the nursing spectrum. The responses I have received included statements to the fact that "mandation is needed to cover staffing shortages", "if you deem yourself incompetent after 20 hrs on you must go home or face diciplinary action from the State Board, but you will run the risk of getting fired if you leave" "that is the employers' right" "it's called patient abandonment", and "you can document your protest to your assignment", "these documentations are collected" and "if something does happen on duty during a mandated 20hr shift the State Board MIGHT not take your license away" "but you still can get fired and/or sued", they are "sorry" I'm working 20hr shifts in a Trauma ER but "management is doing what they need to do to keep safe patient/nurse ratios"....and on and on with the Marvin Milktoast responses. These two organizations are NOT bringing ANY staffing issues to our State and Federal Legislatures (I specifically asked). I am so incensed right now I cannot see, even my husband's jaw fell on the floor when he read the responses (he's a cop). On the up side, my local and state government representative, senator, congressman, and majority leader have responded to me with (apparently) personal letters. They all say they are willing to hear what I have to say, to make an appointment to see them, and my local representative is drafting a law to be brought before the State re: nursing mandates.
My husband raises the point (don't worry, he's on our side): hospitals are private businesses, does government want to enact legislation that involves regulation of private businesses? will this open up a can of worms for other private, large or small, businesses? I think we nurses need to approach our needs from the standpoint of our LICENSES - enacting legislation to cover how long a shift we can work, possibly how may pt's a nurse can cover on various units of various acuity..etc. What do you all think?......I know I just want a law saying that I legally, according to my nursing license, can't work these 20 hr shifts, and that I can't get fired if I leave after 16 hrs on.....
I'm sorry this took to long but I don't know whether to cry, smile, or punch a speed-bag after these horrible responses. I'm going to have to sit on this over the weekend and then plan my approach for Monday. Any suggestions are welcome....

[This message has been edited by NurseyK (edited March 25, 1999).]