Come On!!

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 4, 2003

I think what's being said here, Ainz, is that nurses today (for the most part) in the current circumstances, have little time or energy left at the end of the long, exhausting, and headsplitting day to even begin thinking about undertaking a task of such magnitude.... as wonderful a plan as it is. There are kids to do homework with, dailey chores yet to tend to, and somewhere, somehow, perhaps even just a quiet moment to self.

Yes, a concrete plan which could be materialized is something we all long for.

But the average 12 hour shift bedside nurse has little left to give at the end of her day... this is where the "ants" look to the "queen".... surely there is a fragment of nursing SOMEWHERE which excells at tackling a challenge of such enormity...looks forward to the challenge, and has the wherewithall (energy, time, mental freshness, resources) to bring it to fruition.

The everday nurse has little of the above... barely enough to get through each day.

Those who choose to remain positive in spite of conditions do so to preserve some sense of selfrespect, accountability, and a genuine concern for the patient... not because they are martyrs or because they accept the status quo.

Is this passing the buck? You might say that... but how can we be expected to throw ourselves into such a huge project when we are barely managing to keep our heads above water during the average workweek? And work we must.

ainz · Oct 4, 2003

I think the membership in ANA makes a huge statement. On the one hand it could mean that ANA is very ineffective and nurses do not support it. I kind of doubt this given that several other associations have strong memberships and are supported but very fragmented in their representation of nursing as a whole, for example, AACN and so on.

The other thing this could mean is that nurses are not engaged enough (for various reasons) to be members and financially support something like the ANA.

Perhaps the confidence in such an organization is not there and is seen as mere "politics" which turns many peoples stomachs to think about. But if you want to change things you have to change the rules which means you HAVE to play the game, however disgusting and distasteful it may be.

I fully agree that most staff nurses simply do not have the time and energy to actually do the things I mentioned but there are those of us who are willing to make the time and have the expertise to pull it toether. We need to let the majority of nurses know what strategies will work, why, what it will take, and that their support is needed.

PJMommy · Oct 4, 2003

Originally posted by ainz
First we must organize as a unified body through an association much like the AMA. ANA has been pathetically ineffective, in large part because only 6% of nurses are members.

ainz,

Do you advocate that more nurses should join ANA or that nurses should do something different? It would seem to me that, if more nurses joined ANA, then the voices would be heard. The organization is there and we complain that they are pathetically ineffective -- but where is the representation if NO ONE is joining? ANA has powerful lobbying capabilities with which we have done nothing. Instead of recreating the wheel - we should organize under this umbrella. JMHO...

By the way, I agree with you on all points. :)

PJ

gypsyatheart · Oct 4, 2003

Originally posted by ainz
Thanks for the responses!! An yes cannoli, I am in administration, and your point is . . . . .?

First, I am a RN and a die hard advocate for nursing and advancing the profession, that is why I am in administration so I could be in a position to help change things.

Look at it like this, where are we now? What is happening to nursing toay? How effective have we been with our current strategy? Problem is we don't have a strategy other than to quit nursing or go get a union to represent us, or form our own. There is no quick fix but there is a solution. Behaving as victims is certainly not the answer. Our solution is simple, remove ourselves as employees and become professionals that are reimbursed directly by the payors. To do this is an entirely different issue but can be done. We are the largest segment of heathcare professionals, there are more nurses than any other professional, we have the power if we will use it.

First we must organize as a unified body through an association much like the AMA. ANA has been pathetically ineffective, in large part because only 6% of nurses are members.

Second we develop a political srategy to CHANGE THE LAWS that govern nursing and reimbursement where nurses are paid as practitioners. A long term venture but very possible.

Third we take steps to "professionalize" ourselves including the education for entry level debate. We clearly define what a nurse is and how to become one.

Fourth we educate ourselves to be effective in business scenarios. We have to understand the principles of healthcare economics or we are completely in the dark with misinformation and misunderstanding like most of us are now. We have to be able to intelligently sit at the table and dicuss issues realistically. And rid ourselves of this attidtude that everyone else but us is greedy, only interested in the money and don't really care about the patients, that is simply not true and counterproductive.

Next we have to provide objective, quantitative data that links unique nursing interventions to patient outcomes to financial performance. The information is out there and no one is going to gather it for us, we must do it ourselves. We can begin this now in each of our own hospitals.

This is a large undertaking that will take some time but nothing will change unless we do these things. Again, there is no quick fix. After being in administration for a few years and learning the business side, I , and other nurse executives like me, are convinced that this is the approach.

What do you guys think?

I agree, to a certain extent, with what you are saying. Pretty much echoes my own thoughts : Nurses ARE the largest body of caretakers in the hopital environment, it is OUR voices that should be heard, WE should be calling the shots, we should have the POWER, We SHOULD unite forces all across the nation and make our voices be heard AND our demands met!

Sounds great! Don't think it's gonna happen though. We can't even get nurses to agree on a LOCAL union, much less a nationwide unification!

That's also a great plan to go about presenting the issues to the "financial powers" to "prove" our need and importance. My question is this: who is going to do all this, who is going to start it? I know, when I'm at work I have NO time to be gathering data, etc. I don't mind spending some off time to help in this endeavor , but how is this to be organized?

IMO, nurse administrators, like yourself and your colleagues who have access to that data, and the "office" time should be the primary sources for gathering this data, and then enlisting the help of non-administrative nurses for meetings, support, etc.

Good luck to us all, and tell me where to sign up! :)

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 4, 2003

Originally posted by moondancer
My question is this: who is going to do all this, who is going to start it? I know, when I'm at work I have NO time to be gathering data, etc. I don't mind spending some off time to help in this endeavor , but how is this to be organized?
IMO, nurse administrators, like yourself and your colleagues who have access to that data, and the "office" time should be the primary sources for gathering this data, and then enlisting the help of non-administrative nurses for meetings, support, etc.
Good luck to us all, and tell me where to sign up! :)

Thank you Moondancer... this is what I was trying to say. I agree wholeheartedly. I do believe most of us can come up with SOME time, SOME where to achieve the improvements we seek. But we who are in the trenches cannot do this on our own.

ainz · Oct 4, 2003

Thanks for your interest and posts!! Yes I advocate ALL nurses joining a nursing association that is nationwide and focuses on general issues that affect all nurses regardless of area of practice and geographic location, even on an international basis. Yes the ANA already has the structure in place and it would be reinventing the wheel to try to establish another association. It would be a great place to start, but, ANA's history may and reputation may prevent it from becoming the premiere association. If they have been doing such a great job representing our interests then I would want an answer to 2 key questions. 1) Why is nursing in the shape it is today? 2) Why are only 6% of nurses members? I was a member of ANA through my CNA 15 years ago. When I did not renew I received one notice saying my membership had expired and I have received absolutey nothing from them since. Where is their recruitng effort??? Also, for my several hundred dollars back then, all I received that was tangible to me was a quarterly newsletter that failed to show how their effort translated into benefit for little ole me stuck down in Mississippi at the time.

As far as the last post, yes, a group of nursing administration types should be the ones to begin this process since they have access to the data and know how the game is played so to speak. I fully agree that most staff nurses and unit managers are simply too busy and exhausted to be heavily involved in such a thing. But they need to be updated on what is happening, have input into formulating the plan, and show their support by being a member of the association and at least attending some of the conferences, witing their congressperson and all of the basic things that average citizens can and should do to support something they believe in.

PJMommy · Oct 4, 2003

Originally posted by ainz
Where is their recruitng effort??? Also, for my several hundred dollars back then, all I received that was tangible to me was a quarterly newsletter that failed to show how their effort translated into benefit for little ole me stuck down in Mississippi at the time.

Couple of thoughts...

First, I get so aggravated with a friend who constantly bemoans how her state and U.S. legislators voted on this issue or that issue. So, I asked her, did you call them? Did you write them? Did you email them? No. No. No. Well...how the heck are they supposed to know what is on your mind if you don't call?! Mind-reading is not a pre-requisite for representation. And sorry...but apathy is no excuse.

With that in mind, the same goes for the ANA. They are going to do nothing more exciting than have bake sales and send newsletters until passionate nurses join and rattle the cages.

Second, if we don't like what the ANA is doing for us, then get in there and change it. If the recruitment efforts are pathetic, then join at your state/district level and get OUT THERE and recruit your fellow nurses. Make waves, make things happen.

I appreciate that we are tired and worn-down. As a full-time Accelerated BSN student with four kids (one of whom is disabled), a dog, a husband, and three cats - I *know* there is much to do. I know it is tiresome. But someone has to do it. With as much going on in my life, I can still find time to call senators and congressmen...I can still wrangle a lunch date with a state representative. It's called tenacity. It's about being a squeaky wheel. Darn it - if we believe in the profession, then stick up for it. I begin every phone call I make to legislators' offices with "I'm a constituent, I'm a mother and I'm a NURSE!". Join ANA, go to the meetings, vote on the issues, follow legislation and politics. The old bumper sticker captures this for us, "Think globally, act locally". It starts with your ANA district and you can make it happen.

I'm off the soapbox and back to the books.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 4, 2003

Good ! Comforting to know we agree on these fundamental issues.

Waiting to hear more....I'm all ears, and willing to do my part.

When the ball gets rolling, you know where to find me... right here at Allnurses. :)

Todd SPN · Oct 4, 2003

For now, I just want to say one thing and that is regarding the ANA. I feel there is strength in numbers and excluding the LPNs from this organization is not helpful in instituting the changes we are talking about here. Granted, if every RN joined the ANA changes would be made, and the LPN would benefit. But that is not going to happen. Since this affects all nurses we need to include everyone for the benefit of all to promote a new agenda. The hospitals, LTC facilities have been playing LPNs against RNs and it is beneficial to them. We need to stand shoulder to shoulder as nurses.

Todd SPN · Oct 4, 2003

Originally posted by PJMommy
First, I get so aggravated with a friend who constantly bemoans how her state and U.S. legislators voted on this issue or that issue. So, I asked her, did you call them? Did you write them? Did you email them? No. No. No. Well...how the heck are they supposed to know what is on your mind if you don't call?! Mind-reading is not a pre-requisite for representation. And sorry...but apathy is no excuse.

I also used to believe that cops were my friends until one confiscated my guns because, "There must be some law against it." Luckily, when I called her superior the next day he understood that the constitution protects citizens from illegal search and seizure. I have emailed my legislators (state and federal) more than a dozen times in the past few years and not once have I received a response. And I even went to high school and graduated with one of my senators. My point is that another organization, maybe starting a new one, my be a better option than trying to change one with their own agenda that doesn't meet the needs of today.

ainz · Oct 4, 2003

Excellet point Todd. Again, my concerns with the ANA are 1) Why is nursing in the shape it is in today if the ANA ha been our advocate? 2) Why are only 6% of the 2 million or so nurses members?

This tells me something is very wrong here. Perhaps a new organzation that doesn't have the baggage the ANA has would be better. Good point Todd.

PJMommy · Oct 4, 2003

Originally posted by Todd SPN
I also used to believe that cops were my friends until one confiscated my guns because, "There must be some law against it." Luckily, when I called her superior the next day he understood that the constitution protects citizens from illegal search and seizure. I have emailed my legislators (state and federal) more than a dozen times in the past few years and not once have I received a response. And I even went to high school and graduated with one of my senators. My point is that another organization, maybe starting a new one, my be a better option than trying to change one with their own agenda that doesn't meet the needs of today.

Jeez! What state do you live in? I always get a response...and, on those rare occasions when I do not, I call and ask to speak to someone.

Seriously, I'm shocked! You need to vote those reps OUT. I found it surprisingly easy not only to talk to someone...but to get in front of someone. I'm going to D.C. in a couple weeks and all it took was phone calls to start arranging meetings with representative's health aides.

The point is well-taken about starting new organizations. But seriously people, who is going to do this? And, given the history, do you really expect better membership rates? Does starting a new club really fix the problem where we are seeing low membership and participation? Perhaps this is very naive of me, but how about a global umbrella partnership between ANA and...is there an LPN association at the national level or just state associations?