UNSAFE healthcare

Anonymous Registered Nurs · Apr 11, 2000

I am curious as to why no one has replied to this post. From what I have read on this site and elsewhere, staffing is a real patient safety concern.

Is this the nurses eating their own thing, are people afraid for their jobs, or is it that nurses can never get together on anything?

Did I word the petition wrong? Only 30 people have signed the petition? I have posted info on this on multiple websites and forums. I have e-mailed all the nursing and patient advocacy sites that I could find.

Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?

Just trying to make life better not only for us but for our patients.

Thanks to anyone who replies!!!

MCrist · Apr 27, 2000

I agree with this issue in nursing, it is really sad for our patients and for us as nursing professionals. I really don't understand why you haven't recieved more responses. How do I get my signature on your petition??

------------------

OB4ME · May 15, 2000

I believe that your petition covers a topic which is of great concern to most (if not all) nurses. However, I found that the text of your petition to be too generalized. Those staffing ratios certainly do exist! But not where I work. I believe it would be more effective to start small-within your particular hospital. Research the numbers specific to the hospitals in your area-then take the petition to people in your area-and take that to your representatives. Then go on up the line, expanding as you go. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that that would hold more "clout" and would be more likely to get someone's attention, than a bunch of "faceless" names (no offense meant here!) from all over the country on a piece of paper which is pretty generalized. They need true numbers-hospital names!

Although I do have many of the same concerns, I do not wish to sign your petition at this time, as I do not experience the same staff to patient ratios which you speak of, especially related to cutbacks in RN staffing for hospital monetary gain. Also, in the hospitals I have worked in, the "unlicensed assistive personnel" (whatever they are called in various states) are pretty limited in what they are able to do!

Good luck in your efforts!

NurseGAM · May 16, 2000

Hello from Canada:

We too are facing the same problems but for different reasons. Health care budgets have been slashed at the federal and provincial levels in order to reduce a growing budget deficit. Costs to provide health care have risen(equipment,labour).The population is aging and the patient acuity is much greater now. Even though staffing levels may have recently increased in some areas, the workload is much greater as patients are sicker. We see patients on the wards who would have been in ICU/CCU only a few years ago. We have a professional accountability clause in our contract but employers have worked hard to derail this at every avenue. Finally, our professional body has power over us nurses but has no power over employers! The general public agrees that there is a crisis in our health care system and that waiting lists for services grow longer, but most do not want to see an increase in taxes to fund the system better. With the worldwide nursing shortage, I do not see things getting better, but much, much worse. A petition may be fine but I fail to see how it will change the reality of our workplaces. What is needed is a change in legislation that gives some power to nursing liscensing bodies to ensure that employers staff in accordance to our professional standards to ensure safety to patients. This is possible but it will take years to accomplish and I fear and sympathize with the patients who will not be receiving safe care in the meantime. Good luck to you in your struggle and be assurred that you have the support of many nurses.

P.S. I would sign your petition if I was American.

[This message has been edited by NurseGAM (edited May 16, 2000).]

normarae · Aug 17, 2000

Originally posted by Anonymous Registered Nurs:
I am curious as to why no one has replied to this post. From what I have read on this site and elsewhere, staffing is a real patient safety concern.

Is this the nurses eating their own thing, are people afraid for their jobs, or is it that nurses can never get together on anything?

Did I word the petition wrong? Only 30 people have signed the petition? I have posted info on this on multiple websites and forums. I have e-mailed all the nursing and patient advocacy sites that I could find.
i have been searching for another rn who feels like i do and am sad i didn't find your msg until now. contact me any time normarae (think about it}
Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?

Just trying to make life better not only for us but for our patients.

Thanks to anyone who replies!!!

------------------

Barbara Rose · Aug 18, 2000

Originally posted by Anonymous Registered Nurs:
Hello,

I have started a petition that I hope will help in changing healthcare delivery. Please reply to this post to keep it on top, if you sign the petition.

I live in a right to work state, so can be fired without cause. Needless to say, I have not included my name and my state is erroneous. I hope that I can help insure better care, if only just a little.

Any help in promoting this would be most appreciated, as well as anyone or any organization that you could pass it on to.

The petition reads:

UNSAFE Healthcare

Our Nations hospitals and Extended Care facilities are being understaffed. Critical care nurses are now taking care of 3-4 patients instead of 1-2. Transitional care/Stepdown care nurses are now caring for 5-6 patients instead of 3-4 patients. Medical/surgical nurses are now taking care of 10-12 patients instead of 5-6 patients, and Extended care facility nurses are now taking care of 30-50 patients at the same time. Many of the Nurses are being mandated to work overtime. Sometimes 16 hour shifts and up to 60 hours per week without lunches or breaks, as there is no one to care for their patients while they are away. Unlicensed, uneducated workers are being trained in 6 weeks or less to take care of patients. We must MANDATE the facility administrators to provide safe Licensed Nurse to patient ratios in health care facilities. Mistakes are being made, lives are being lost, all in the name of making money.

Click here to sign this petition: http://www.e-thepeople.com/affiliates/national/index.cfm?PC=PETFV1&PETID=360310

Unless you are willing to stand up and be counted, you will never make a difference. I also work and live in a state where you can be fired for no reason, so what? A wrongful discharge suit can still be filed in the event the facility is performing illegially or causing you to break your nurse practice act, and most states have a way to protect "whistle blowers" and we trouble makers are called!!! If we all stay anonymous, then no one will ever do anything!! Write your congressman/woman, call the state health dept. with a complaint, contact your state board, the local, regional and national nurses association, and anyone else you can get the listen. Stand up and be counted. Instead of a million mother march, etc. on Washington, why not a million nurse march on the poor status of health care? It is time for nurses to shine their lights brightly!!

Barbara Rose, RN, CLNC Texas

McPeg · Sep 18, 2000

I agree that nurses are a very curious group.

One post I read likened their behavior to "oppressed" group. Which I think includes behavior such as they have lost all their ability/will to resist, object, fight back.

Five or more years ago another nurse and I tried to resist. We tried to get others to unite and resist at our facility. Big flop. But man, go to the lunch room and listen to them complain. I also have posted recently on the web the idea of another march on Washington, yes there was one over five years ago. I do not know who organized it. But I think the timing may be right now that we would get more media exposure. They are having statewide "town hall" meetings in Massachusetts where they are encouraging nurses to speak out. You can read about that on their web-site. The "Florence Project" (0n-line group of nurses promoting patient and nurse advocacy) tried to get nurses to hold rallies across the country on May 1st every year for the past three that I know of. Not very successful either. No nurses show up!

I don't know if it's the oppressed group mentality or if nurses are too fatigued to think about it. I have read in a few posts and have personally been told this by management "if you don't like it leave". And pretty much that is the way nurses are handling this, they're leaving. Result = nursing shortage.

041975 · Dec 4, 2000

I think your petition is wonderful. Good Luck. As nurses we all need to stick together and stay strong. Patients are not getting the care that they should be. They deserve better. Making the community aware is a key too. It is time for nurses to stand up for themselves and speak out!!! We deserve better!!!

Originally posted by McPeg:
I agree that nurses are a very curious group.
One post I read likened their behavior to "oppressed" group. Which I think includes behavior such as they have lost all their ability/will to resist, object, fight back.
Five or more years ago another nurse and I tried to resist. We tried to get others to unite and resist at our facility. Big flop. But man, go to the lunch room and listen to them complain. I also have posted recently on the web the idea of another march on Washington, yes there was one over five years ago. I do not know who organized it. But I think the timing may be right now that we would get more media exposure. They are having statewide "town hall" meetings in Massachusetts where they are encouraging nurses to speak out. You can read about that on their web-site. The "Florence Project" (0n-line group of nurses promoting patient and nurse advocacy) tried to get nurses to hold rallies across the country on May 1st every year for the past three that I know of. Not very successful either. No nurses show up!
I don't know if it's the oppressed group mentality or if nurses are too fatigued to think about it. I have read in a few posts and have personally been told this by management "if you don't like it leave". And pretty much that is the way nurses are handling this, they're leaving. Result = nursing shortage.

shelleyjrn · Dec 4, 2000

Originally posted by Anonymous Registered Nurs:
Hello,

I have started a petition that I hope will help in changing healthcare delivery. Please reply to this post to keep it on top, if you sign the petition.

I live in a right to work state, so can be fired without cause. Needless to say, I have not included my name and my state is erroneous. I hope that I can help insure better care, if only just a little.

Any help in promoting this would be most appreciated, as well as anyone or any organization that you could pass it on to.

The petition reads:

UNSAFE Healthcare

Our Nations hospitals and Extended Care facilities are being understaffed. Critical care nurses are now taking care of 3-4 patients instead of 1-2. Transitional care/Stepdown care nurses are now caring for 5-6 patients instead of 3-4 patients. Medical/surgical nurses are now taking care of 10-12 patients instead of 5-6 patients, and Extended care facility nurses are now taking care of 30-50 patients at the same time. Many of the Nurses are being mandated to work overtime. Sometimes 16 hour shifts and up to 60 hours per week without lunches or breaks, as there is no one to care for their patients while they are away. Unlicensed, uneducated workers are being trained in 6 weeks or less to take care of patients. We must MANDATE the facility administrators to provide safe Licensed Nurse to patient ratios in health care facilities. Mistakes are being made, lives are being lost, all in the name of making money.

Click here to sign this petition: http://www.e-thepeople.com/affiliates/national/index.cfm?PC=PETFV1&PETID=360310

shelleyjrn · Dec 4, 2000

I'm really sorry that you feel that you can't sign your own name to a petition that you wrote. I understand your fear of losing your job but what I don't understand is how you expect others to put thier names on this petition when you yourself are to fearful. Maybe this is the true problem in our profession. We need to be proud of our work and be able to stand up for what is right.If you feel that conditions are so bad, and I believe that they are, stand up and shout it to the world. If you lose your job, there will be ten more right behind it because there aren't enough nurses to go around.We as nurses are in a very powerful position right now with this nursing shortage. We need to stand together, be strong and let the country know what's happening in healthcare. Be proud to say who you are, what you do, and what the problems are.

Originally posted by Anonymous Registered Nurs:
Hello,

I have started a petition that I hope will help in changing healthcare delivery. Please reply to this post to keep it on top, if you sign the petition.

I live in a right to work state, so can be fired without cause. Needless to say, I have not included my name and my state is erroneous. I hope that I can help insure better care, if only just a little.

Any help in promoting this would be most appreciated, as well as anyone or any organization that you could pass it on to.

The petition reads:

UNSAFE Healthcare

Our Nations hospitals and Extended Care facilities are being understaffed. Critical care nurses are now taking care of 3-4 patients instead of 1-2. Transitional care/Stepdown care nurses are now caring for 5-6 patients instead of 3-4 patients. Medical/surgical nurses are now taking care of 10-12 patients instead of 5-6 patients, and Extended care facility nurses are now taking care of 30-50 patients at the same time. Many of the Nurses are being mandated to work overtime. Sometimes 16 hour shifts and up to 60 hours per week without lunches or breaks, as there is no one to care for their patients while they are away. Unlicensed, uneducated workers are being trained in 6 weeks or less to take care of patients. We must MANDATE the facility administrators to provide safe Licensed Nurse to patient ratios in health care facilities. Mistakes are being made, lives are being lost, all in the name of making money.

Click here to sign this petition: http://www.e-thepeople.com/affiliates/national/index.cfm?PC=PETFV1&PETID=360310

------------------