An open letter to the #NursesUnite movement

[shermrn]

There are 55,000+ signatures on the petition to Disney Corp and the View at change.org demanding an apology.

I would like to see #nursesunite write a petition requesting legislation for Federally mandated nurse patient ratios.

I would like to see #nursesunite write a petition requesting legislation to remove abortion from services provided by planned parenthood.

Granted I'm not on this site often, but I haven't noticed much of an uproar from nurses over the whole planned parenthood issue and the videos that have been released. It's sad that comments from Joy Behar, or the killing of a lion, draw more attention than the deaths of untold numbers of infants.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I haven't noticed much of an uproar from nurses over the whole planned parenthood issue and the videos that have been released. It's sad that comments from Joy Behar, or the killing of a lion, draw more attention than the deaths of untold numbers of infants.

Although abortion and Planned Parenthood are grossly off-topic to this particular thread, you'll never be hearing an uproar from me regarding those issues. I am fully supportive of Planned Parenthood's efforts and feel that their clinics should be located in every city and town in the US.

I am also pro-choice, although I respect the views of those who identify as pro-life.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I would like to see #nursesunite write a petition requesting legislation to remove abortion from services provided by planned parenthood.

Granted I'm not on this site often, but I haven't noticed much of an uproar from nurses over the whole planned parenthood issue and the videos that have been released. It's sad that comments from Joy Behar, or the killing of a lion, draw more attention than the deaths of untold numbers of infants.

Seriously??? Abortion is a LEGAL medical treatment in the United States.. Let's not start that debate and ruin a good thread..

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/provide-federal-legislation-nurse-patient-ratios

If you decide to sign, you have to confirm your signature in your email.

This is one way to at least get voices heard.. If Cali can have ratios, why can't the rest of the states offer it as well??

[Jules A, MSN]

I would like to see #nursesunite write a petition requesting legislation to remove abortion from services provided by planned parenthood.

Granted I'm not on this site often, but I haven't noticed much of an uproar from nurses over the whole planned parenthood issue and the videos that have been released. It's sad that comments from Joy Behar, or the killing of a lion, draw more attention than the deaths of untold numbers of infants.

So while I totally disagree with your views on Planned Parenthood and animal cruelty you make an interesting point about the uproar over comments by a "television personality".

Are nurses seriously writing their representatives in Congress about this? To do what? Make a celebrity apologize for being snarky. The last time I took the time to write local politicians it was to lobby for Independent Practice for Nurse Practitioners. C'mon if its really that scathing to your sensibilities go ahead and write the TV network or sponsors but to tie up our legislators for this? We are our own worst enemies sometimes.

I have to wonder if these are the same nurses who work grossly understaffed and are willing to do everything including sweeping the floor and emptying the trash? This seems misdirected and a waste of energy when there are far more pressing issues like staffing, compensation and improved standards of nursing education.

[AlliBSN]

I agree with you! I do my job and I am a team player but I do not tolerate certain things. If people are disrespectful, rude, etc., I ask them to step into an empty room, close the door, and we have a professional conversation. I have done this with other RNs, NTs, and providers. Communication is key to a successful team and often people, myself included, do not communicate as well as we could/should. Being able to own your shortcomings, apologize when you should, and clear the air when necessary, allows us to all function at our best. People will only take advantage of you if you allow them to do so. Set your boundaries and stick to them. If requests are unreasonable, say so.

[LibraSunCNM, MSN]

I was annoyed by the comments on The View (actually more so by those of Michelle Collins, Raven Simone, and Whoopi Goldberg than Joy Behar), and agree that The View is generally a stupid show which does NOT accurately reflect the "views" of all American women. I'm also annoyed by Grey's Anatomy's portrayal of nurses, and by "sexy nurse" costumes. Write to your Congressman and request The View be taken off the air? Ummm, not actually their jurisdiction, and anyone who would do that needs a bit more education about our system of government.

I completely agree that the outrage could better be channeled into actually affecting change in the nursing profession. I think it simply comes down to the fact that it is much, much easier to band together as a group to post funny memes and defensive manifestos about nursing on Facebook, than to get up off the couch, organize with fellow nurses, and actually do the difficult work of lobbying politicians to get laws changed to improve the profession. Can it be done? Of course, as we've seen in California. But I think a lot of nurses who talk the talk are unwilling to walk the walk.

[AlliBSN]

I agree with you! I do my job and I am a team player but I do not tolerate certain things. If people are disrespectful, rude, etc., I ask them to step into an empty room, close the door, and we have a professional conversation. I have done this with other RNs, NTs, and providers. Communication is key to a successful team and often people, myself included, do not communicate as well as we could/should. Being able to own your shortcomings, apologize when you should, and clear the air when necessary, allows us to all function at our best. People will only take advantage of you if you allow them to do so. Set your boundaries and stick to them. If requests are unreasonable, say so.

This was in response to blondy2061h...I guess I didn't post correctly...oops!

[nurseactivist]

I understand how helpless and afraid many nurses feel. I worked in private settings that were not union, not covered by ratios etc. I understand the nagging fear from employers (don't rock the boat) and needing that nursing job. However, let's not shoot ourself in the foot and then complain we can't walk. 700,000 plus nurses and supporters, in less than week. have agreed that we are not "just a nurse." They have edmbraced a young nurse who had the courage to stand on a world stage and deliver that message. Furthermore, when uninformed TV hosts have insulted and belittled that young nurse contestant, 700,000 + nurses and supporters have effectively made their voice heard. Numerous companies have either paused or pulled their TV ads, so I would say, someone is listening. Change is usually not this speedy. Change just doesn't happen, it takes patience and vigilence and change has to be driven.

[bunnysanford]

Although abortion and Planned Parenthood are grossly off-topic to this particular thread, you'll never be hearing an uproar from me regarding those issues. I am fully supportive of Planned Parenthood's efforts and feel that their clinics should be located in every city and town in the US.

I am also pro-choice, although I respect the views of those who identify as pro-life.

Thanks for the reminder; I'm due to write another letter in support of Planned Parenthood, and make my small contribution. #nurseforchoice

And I'll leave this here for anyone who thinks that PP is making a profit from fetal tissue research.

Unspinning the Planned Parenthood Video

And I'll be signing that staffing petition! (Edited to add that)

[Jules A, MSN]

I completely agree that the outrage could better be channeled into actually affecting change in the nursing profession. I think it simply comes down to the fact that it is much, much easier to band together as a group to post funny memes and defensive manifestos about nursing on Facebook, than to get up off the couch, organize with fellow nurses, and actually do the difficult work of lobbying politicians to get laws changed to improve the profession. Can it be done? Of course, as we've seen in California. But I think a lot of nurses who talk the talk are unwilling to walk the walk.

Well said and once again my worry is that we come off looking like a bunch of hysterical silly women rather than articulate professional business people. Imagine if this level of enthusiasm, participation and camaraderie was focused on safe staffing ratios across the country? That California was able to do it and the rest of the country didn't grab their coat-tails years ago is beyond frustrating.

[disillusionedrn, RN]

My point of writing this open letter is to say that nurses are standing up in unity against something that really does not matter to us in the end. It's going to trend for a while, and then it will pass and the negative aspects of nursing culture and nursing workplace issues will still be there, unchanged by #nursesunite. It's a superficial movement that will not enact change. So what if advertisers pulled out, what exactly does that do for anyone except the sense of a win in a fight that does not matter at all.