Come together

Nurses Activism

Published

Earlier I posted regarding a new nursing organization to try to bring nurses together to improve nursing. I made a couple of mistakes in the posting so am trying to introduce you to it without breaking the rules.

I see nursing going downward as a career. The biggest reason our jobs keep getting worse seems to be so overpaid administrators can make more money; bigger salaries and bigger bonuses. Nurses traditionally don't stick together and stand up for themselves so administration takes advantage of this fact.

I believe we are the blood that flows through the veins of healthcare. You can remove any other department's staff and there will be a nurse there to make sure the patients are taken care of. Remove nursing and you have to lock the doors.

We are about 3 million strong. More than 4:1 compared to doctors in the USA. I believe that is only RNs too, add in LPNs, CNAs, PCTs, etc.. We are a workforce to be reckoned with if we come together. We can change not only the hospital and facility conditions, but we can change national policy.

The ANA says they represent 2.9 million nurses. I have read that only about 3% of nurses actually belong to ANA. I don't know of anything the ANA has done to help me and my career. I don't know of anything the ANA has done to raise the level of nursing, to protect nurses in the workplace or do anything to benefit working nurses.

It is up to us to come together and make the difference. If we come together, make common goals to benefit nursing always sticking to doing the right thing, we can't lose. There can't be healthcare without professional nurses!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So what are you going to do to get us all organized?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

You go girl...and I'll follow!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am also open to any and all input as the goal is a better career as a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med surg, LTC, ER , OB, PSYCH.

hi, i totally agree; its a shame there are no pension plans etc for us. i don't think a union where you might be required to stay out of work and not take care of your pts is the right way to go; but then again neither are these so called nsg associations.so...... i'm with you, what 'll we do next?:(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.

The California Nurses Association has done great things to improve the quality of nursing jobs. Spreading their methods of achievement throughout this country should be our goal. But despite their contributions, they are "liberal", and so conservative republicans will scoff at the idea. The deterioration of the quality of our jobs and the care we deliver is not a partisan issue. The CNA is already successful, but i dont expect to see their assistance anytime soon in my red state. "Union" is a dirty word around here; a philosophy perpetrated on us by the rich. I am always open to other ideas, because i desperately want the nurse/pt ratios that are so far only available in CA. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Med Surg,Drug Etoh, Psych.
You go girl...and I'll follow!

me too, what do we do next?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

"You try to start a movement, and you think you see improvement

But when thrown into the moment, we just don't seem so courageous"

-Elf's Lament by Barenaked Ladies

In attempts to change bad/illegal situations for patients, I found the above to be true about nurses. Called the local "union" for assistance and received no encouragement, no assistance, no insight, not even a "you go girl".

So we did it alone, no thanks to the "union". Also no thanks to many, many co-workers and ex-friends. When the going gets hot...so the kitchen emptied out!!! Four out of over 20 remained dedicated to changes, and we four saw results. Took years, but we got results.

pm me for info, but basically, I don't see nursing changing for many, many years.

Issue by issue, baby steps. People just don't want to get involved.

Please excuse the cynicism, but organizing for patient safety or better working conditions isn't something I have witnessed nurses eager to participate in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

I know you need to remain vague on this BB.

Could you give us some history of what you did?

Change the situation and/or details?

I'm glad you prevailed but want to know a little of how others can do so too.

Congratulationas to you four who worked to advocate for your patients.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment