Anyone Staffed Strikes?

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Have any travellers staffed strikes? As a former traveller, I am looking into this...I still need some excitement/change. What was it like? What companies? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

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nurseyperson

Specializes in CHPN.

Man am I tired of working for nothing!!! I have been a travel nurse for 6 years, Have been everywhere from Florida to New York, from Texas to Montana and stayed in CA for 2 years and I learned alot. Just recently took a staff position at a small hospital in my hometown. I swore that I would NEVER ever cross a picket line....that has changed. Per Diem staff and supplemental make loads of $$ and set their own hours...I want out BAD. I got into nursing because I wanted to take care of patients and help people when all I am is a peice of meat with RN behind my name...Get treated like a 3 yo child by Doc's that are egotistical and arrogant. Man I'm sick of it........I say do what you have to do for you nursey.....the money is excellent....I will have enough for my little greenhouse soon and will be able to live without so much abuse...

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I just wanted to post because I don't like the idea that nurses are greedy for wanting better pay or better conditions. Improvements in these areas would draw better people into this profession and ensure better care for patients. I hate the idea that people can make you feel guilty for wanting a decent wage for a DIFFICULT job. Just because you're not in it for the money doesn't mean that you should be forced to scrape by on a meager salary. Why don't we value nurses' care enough to provide them with decent pay and working conditions without calling them selfish?n It just pisses me off so much.

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Originally posted by nurseyperson:

I used the wrong word, excitement. No, I don't think crossing the picket line is exciting. But going to different parts of the country and seeing new things, that is, and if you have never travelled, you have no idea.

Everyone has their right to their opinion. But tell me something. What are strikes for, if not (in part) to better your pay, benefits, working conditions? Is that not selfish and greedy? And who in the world do you expect to take care of the poor patients that are unfortunate enough to be in the hospital at the time of the strike? Managers who haven't done bedside nursing for years? Administration? HA HA! What if the patient was your family? Wouldn't you want experienced nurses taking care of them? Or do you say, "too bad, we are on strike for more money, you don't have anyone to take care of you. You shouldn't have had a heart attack now." HA!

I do what nurses are supposed to do. Take care of patients. And the hospital will have to pay big time for that to the nurses and the staffing companies. And the more they have to pay, the sooner they will want to settle. We take care of the patients so you can do what you think you need to. I personally wouldn't want a union telling me when to strike or what to do. You are simply under their control, and I have heard plenty of stories about the union not backing what nurses Really want.

If some of you would rather work at Walmart or wash dishes, that is fine. You must not be the breadwinner in the family.

And what about crossing picket lines? Are you saying it would be dangerous? Then you are saying you are violent!!!!!! What a nurse. As angry as you all sound, I wouldn't want yout taking care of me in the first place!!!!

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Originally posted by nurseyperson:

I used the wrong word, excitement. No, I don't think crossing the picket line is exciting. But going to different parts of the country and seeing new things, that is, and if you have never travelled, you have no idea.

Everyone has their right to their opinion. But tell me something. What are strikes for, if not (in part) to better your pay, benefits, working conditions? Is that not selfish and greedy? And who in the world do you expect to take care of the poor patients that are unfortunate enough to be in the hospital at the time of the strike? Managers who haven't done bedside nursing for years? Administration? HA HA! What if the patient was your family? Wouldn't you want experienced nurses taking care of them? Or do you say, "too bad, we are on strike for more money, you don't have anyone to take care of you. You shouldn't have had a heart attack now." HA!

I do what nurses are supposed to do. Take care of patients. And the hospital will have to pay big time for that to the nurses and the staffing companies. And the more they have to pay, the sooner they will want to settle. We take care of the patients so you can do what you think you need to. I personally wouldn't want a union telling me when to strike or what to do. You are simply under their control, and I have heard plenty of stories about the union not backing what nurses Really want.

If some of you would rather work at Walmart or wash dishes, that is fine. You must not be the breadwinner in the family.

And what about crossing picket lines? Are you saying it would be dangerous? Then you are saying you are violent!!!!!! What a nurse. As angry as you all sound, I wouldn't want yout taking care of me in the first place!!!!

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I read with interest the union/non u comments. If nurseyperson wants to really find out why nurses are going to strikes try working for hospitals in FLORIDA. There are NO EMPLOYEE RIGHTS IN THIS STATE. If you are suspected of leaning to collaborate among yourselves - you will be fired. And even though the only law regarding employment in Fla is to "give employment dates only" the backstabbing nature (don't know why but it is the major problem nurses work for nothing in this state) of nurses and other non licensed personnel will be happy to pass on their personal not always related to your nursing skills - opinion and you are ostracized from that facility - unless you have a contact who knows someone etc...you get the picture...in that unit that you wish to work. In Florida I have been fired for getting a divorce, his best friend was the hospital attorney, for divorcing a surgeon, (took LOA to avoid harrassment from other docs/anes.)fired again when I was told "there are no positions available for you". What do you do then? move, go on welfare, or do you travel and take the best money you can get? It is NOT GETTING BETTER IN FLORIDA and unless more nurses get those ANA pencil pushers off their duffs(if this is possible) Ive been in nursing 26 years and belong to several certification associations and I have yet to see anything related to the issues I have brought up. I have been in a specialty unit for 18 years - and recently was fired because the new supervisor didn't like my experience level and felt uncomfortable working with me. Now if that hospital went out on strike I would be happy to cross over even more than the one who fired me 3 times. Currently I am trying to survive and keep the wolf from the door by doing days work thru agency which is usually not well accepted by other nurses in the hospitals I work because they are making less money and are under mgts thumb/w/benes. Even on that level a religious private hospital in florida well known nationally requested I not be sent back because I refused to take primary care on tele unit for 30 patients until the other RN they said they would be calling arrived. This is the nature of this "profession" we call nursing.

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Have been away for a while (no, not working a strike yet) and this topic is still hot.

To answer a few questions.. Sorry conditions in Florida are so bad, I never said I wanted to figure out why nurses are going on strikes. That is their own business.

I have been a nurse for 15 years, most in critical care,

some as a travelling nurse, the last 6 or so per diem. Get plenty of work. Would

rather be home with children. THAT is the most important thing...family. I hate it when you go to work and the powers that be tell you to float to somewhere you haven't worked in a decade, you are forced to work the weekend you child has an important event, you have to work with grouchy, lazy, backstabbing people, (not many of them, but the ones that are there are terrible, and of course that aspect isn't limited to nursing). so I would rather make a lot of money and be able to be home with my family. If people think I do not support fellow nurses, I guess they are right. Since when is that a crime? I am not whining about wages or working conditions, I don't like the political aspect of the whole profession. Nurses are treated like second class people in the hospital, and we are actually the most important ones (in my opinion).

Sorry, I believe that unless there is a NATION WIDE organization (not necessarily a union, but if that's what it takes, OK), nothing in nursing will change. And when that happens (IF) I will support it. Some people will say it is people like me that is holding it back. Be real. Tell me honestly, what percent of nurses are in unions? Are they really helping? If they are, why are there so many strikes? Can't they work it out before that? I want to go to work, take care of my patients, make good money and not have to deal with the BS, and come home in a good mood to my family. SO WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT?

And the one question I keep asking, and NO ONE WILL ANSWER>>>> who takes quality care of the patients while you are

on strike???

PLEASE ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am glad there are so many different people in the world, having differing opinions and lives. How about if we start respecting and accepting each other as people first, with those unique characteristics, not resort to name calling and judging. I have not

put down anyone for supporting unions. More power to them. So how about the same

for us that just want to take care of the patients and make good money doing it?

Nurseyperson

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Originally posted by nurseyperson:

I used the wrong word, excitement. No, I don't think crossing the picket line is exciting. But going to different parts of the country and seeing new things, that is, and if you have never travelled, you have no idea.

Everyone has their right to their opinion. But tell me something. What are strikes for, if not (in part) to better your pay, benefits, working conditions? Is that not selfish and greedy? And who in the world do you expect to take care of the poor patients that are unfortunate enough to be in the hospital at the time of the strike? Managers who haven't done bedside nursing for years? Administration? HA HA! What if the patient was your family? Wouldn't you want experienced nurses taking care of them? Or do you say, "too bad, we are on strike for more money, you don't have anyone to take care of you. You shouldn't have had a heart attack now." HA!

I do what nurses are supposed to do. Take care of patients. And the hospital will have to pay big time for that to the nurses and the staffing companies. And the more they have to pay, the sooner they will want to settle. We take care of the patients so you can do what you think you need to. I personally wouldn't want a union telling me when to strike or what to do. You are simply under their control, and I have heard plenty of stories about the union not backing what nurses Really want.

If some of you would rather work at Walmart or wash dishes, that is fine. You must not be the breadwinner in the family.

And what about crossing picket lines? Are you saying it would be dangerous? Then you are saying you are violent!!!!!! What a nurse. As angry as you all sound, I wouldn't want yout taking care of me in the first place!!!!

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I am currently considering doing travel nursing and working strikes. I was surprised to see some of the replys to your original question. These people are pissed! I don't see anything wrong with crossing the picket line. I believe that anyone who is a REAL nurse would be glad that someone is caring for their patients....if I was on strike (which is sort of like abandonment in my eyes) I would be smart enough to realize that someone has to care for the patients. If you do go strike nursing...email me and let me know how it is.. Thanks

Originally posted by nurseyperson:

I used the wrong word, excitement. No, I don't think crossing the picket line is exciting. But going to different parts of the country and seeing new things, that is, and if you have never travelled, you have no idea.

Everyone has their right to their opinion. But tell me something. What are strikes for, if not (in part) to better your pay, benefits, working conditions? Is that not selfish and greedy? And who in the world do you expect to take care of the poor patients that are unfortunate enough to be in the hospital at the time of the strike? Managers who haven't done bedside nursing for years? Administration? HA HA! What if the patient was your family? Wouldn't you want experienced nurses taking care of them? Or do you say, "too bad, we are on strike for more money, you don't have anyone to take care of you. You shouldn't have had a heart attack now." HA!

I do what nurses are supposed to do. Take care of patients. And the hospital will have to pay big time for that to the nurses and the staffing companies. And the more they have to pay, the sooner they will want to settle. We take care of the patients so you can do what you think you need to. I personally wouldn't want a union telling me when to strike or what to do. You are simply under their control, and I have heard plenty of stories about the union not backing what nurses Really want.

If some of you would rather work at Walmart or wash dishes, that is fine. You must not be the breadwinner in the family.

And what about crossing picket lines? Are you saying it would be dangerous? Then you are saying you are violent!!!!!! What a nurse. As angry as you all sound, I wouldn't want yout taking care of me in the first place!!!!

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Thanks for your support. We have the same ideas about nursing.. It now might be quite a while before I staff strikes. I usually work ICU, NICU, and both places are very short staffed at the time. I have also started some classes that will continue thru December and I am Extremely busy. I want to go when things settle down, but problably after the first of the year. I will e-mail you if I do. You do the same.

And have you noticed...no one will answer that all important question. Who is supposed to take care of the patients if it weren't for the strike-breakers? (someone said that Scabs are nurses originally employed by the hospital that break the strike, not someone coming in from the outside.)

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nurseyperson

[This message has been edited by nurseyperson (edited September 01, 2000).]

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Nurseyperson,

Good question: "Who takes care of the patients while you are out on strike?"

Didn't we all get into this profession to do exactly that? take care of the patient?

Here's another one:

How many potential good nurses are turned off and turn away from nursing when they see this kind of disrespect and backstabbing among potential peers?

Just food for thought : )

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Originally posted by Patricia Smith:

Well, this IS a very hot topic Indeed--I can't help but wonder in what age group or how long nurseyperson has been a nurse? Five years ago I lost my job because I was attempting to organize a union for nurses...yes, nurseyperson, I am the breadwinner of my family (and with four children--no easy chore) I was fired for "solicitation"--I think I paid the ultimate price for what I believed in! And, due to all of the non-support of my fellow nurses--our union vote didn't go through. I didn't attempt to do this for "money"! It was for my patients--I was tired of not having enough blood pressure cuffs in the recovery room--Administration changed our titles from RN's to PCC (patient care coordinators--so the patient wouldn't know WHO was WHO) Patient care technicians who mopped the floors were performing 12 lead EKG's..I could go on and on. During the time I was "out of work" from the hospital, I worked registry--I made plenty of money and didn't have to step on anybody's toes to do it! YOU are the reason we don't have union's--total NON-SUPPORT of your fellow nurses--SHAME ON YOU!!

shame on you jimmy hoffa. give the mafia a break and take care of the patients

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I support those nurses who have the guts to go out on strike for better wages and working conditions. Most of the nurses I know just whine and complain and feel sorry for themselves. The docs in our hospital walked for a few weeks several years ago when they were dissatisfied with the way things were going. Things changed for them after that. I don't think the nurses would ever do that. That would be abandonment. Funny, I really don't see the difference in nurses striking and the docs walking out, but you can be your bottom dollar that there would be a great deal of emotional manipulation toward the nurses if they di strike. Nurses have nevere supported each other or organized as a group with any kind of real negotiating power. All I see is a bunch of self-possessed, backstabbing crybabies who either was someone to feel sorry for them or do their fighting for them. Some of you say "scab" to ones who would take care of our patients so we could fight for what is rightfully ours. Shame on you. I guess you enjoy not having any control over your life and like being treated like a total idiot every day of your life. I do feel sorry for you.

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