Nurses at Scripps Encinitas Hospital in San Diego County California have filed a petition to Decertify the California Nurses Association.
The California Nurses Association have made several unsuccessful attempts to strike at the hospital and have failed to garner enough support among staff nurses.
A copy of the petition is available from the National Labor Relations Board or download the petition now at http://www.stopunions.com
That's assuming that music's hospital management WAS horrible to begin with. They may not have been. Some places have administrators who aren't shortsighted and a union is never necessary (unless the administration changes, which is hardly unheard of).
It was definitely necessary where I work.
Dontcha reckon it's a safe assumption that an admin who plans on replacing licensed staff with unlicensed staff would easily qualify as "horrible", "short-sighted", or as I term them "average hospital admin (who live in a concrete world where the money is the bottom line)". You see, music posted in response to Spacenurse that she and her colleagues were able to accomplish what Spacenurse accomplished sans union, which included the situation I stated above as well as getting sharps containers in every patient room (not sure how the union helped with nurses getting blamed for meds being late despite not receiving them from the pharmacy which had also lost half the pharmacists).
Anywho, I just really want to know how music did it, because while she chooses not to have union representation and has obviously accomplished great things with bad management, I won't have the option of union representation in TX because there are no unions. I'm basically asking, no begging (once again in this thread) for tips on uniting a staff and dealing with an admin without any support if the waves I create result in being terminated. I think it's reasonable to expect that ultimately I'd be fired if the management is unwilling to budge and I continue to push (including threatening a walkout) but am unable to convince them that replacing licensed staff with unlicensed staff (for example) isn't a wise idea.
Dontcha reckon it's a safe assumption that an admin who plans on replacing licensed staff with unlicensed staff would easily qualify as "horrible", "short-sighted", or as I term them "average hospital admin (who live in a concrete world where the money is the bottom line)". You see, music posted in response to Spacenurse that she and her colleagues were able to accomplish what Spacenurse accomplished sans union, which included the situation I stated above as well as getting sharps containers in every patient room (not sure how the union helped with nurses getting blamed for meds being late despite not receiving them from the pharmacy which had also lost half the pharmacists).
Anywho, I just really want to know how music did it, because while she chooses not to have union representation and has obviously accomplished great things with bad management, I won't have the option of union representation in TX because there are no unions. I'm basically asking, no begging (once again in this thread) for tips on uniting a staff and dealing with an admin without any support if the waves I create result in being terminated. I think it's reasonable to expect that ultimately I'd be fired if the management is unwilling to budge and I continue to push (including threatening a walkout) but am unable to convince them that replacing licensed staff with unlicensed staff (for example) isn't a wise idea.
I'm just not sure the exact circumstances of her/his hospital to begin with because I notice music mentionned committees specifically, but didn't say anything about unlicensed personell. Every place will be a little different. It would be great to know what hospital she/he works in, and where (since cities with several hospitals need to compete for nurses a little more and are sometimes more willing to listen to staff) so we could see for ourselves, but I think most users like to keep a little bit of anonymity here on allnurses :)
I would also LOVE to know specifically how non-union nurses have been able to make changes to seriously negative environments. I think your assessment is correct in that if management doesn't want to implement your suggestions they don't have to and there is little you can do about it other than vote with your feet.
I work with a lot of travellers from Texas and the reviews seem very mixed as far as working conditions go. I actually considered moving to Austin at one point (a guy I was dating moved there for work and loved the city), but I couldn't get past the pay cut...
Well, there are at least 3 posters on this thread that consistly post only antiunion sentiments. And that post almost exclusive on that topic, with few if any other posts on any other topics. As such, I take anything that they post with a grain of salt.
But please remember, that there are those of us that are against unions as a rule, yet very supportive of advancing nursing.
Well, there are at least 3 posters on this thread that consistly post only antiunion sentiments. And that post almost exclusive on that topic, with few if any other posts on any other topics. As such, I take anything that they post with a grain of salt.
But please remember, that there are those of us that are against unions as a rule, yet very supportive of advancing nursing.
caroladybelle:
I admire and appreciate your posts. Your history here shows you have many positive ideas, suggestions, and a great sense of humor.
I know I cannot be your only admirerer.
You have a right to your opinion.
I once chose a second per diem job at a hospital that didn't need a union. The kindness there is still part of my heart.
Then It was sold. They are now unionized. Refusal to respect the work and opinion of professional nurses is intolerable to many of us. We need an enforceable contract to "level the playing field" as the say.
Your kindness shows in your posts. I feel your patients and colleagues are fortunate as we are on this BB.
I'm just not sure the exact circumstances of her/his hospital to begin with because I notice music mentionned committees specifically, but didn't say anything about unlicensed personell. Every place will be a little different. It would be great to know what hospital she/he works in, and where (since cities with several hospitals need to compete for nurses a little more and are sometimes more willing to listen to staff) so we could see for ourselves, but I think most users like to keep a little bit of anonymity here on allnurses :)
I would also LOVE to know specifically how non-union nurses have been able to make changes to seriously negative environments. I think your assessment is correct in that if management doesn't want to implement your suggestions they don't have to and there is little you can do about it other than vote with your feet.
I work with a lot of travellers from Texas and the reviews seem very mixed as far as working conditions go. I actually considered moving to Austin at one point (a guy I was dating moved there for work and loved the city), but I couldn't get past the pay cut...
I have been busy working and so have not responded. Will do so in a few days. I just want to say that I do listen and respect other's viewpoints and experience. I fight for what is right always but just choose not to join a union. I would rather these discussions be more about how we can support each other no matter what side of the fence we are on. And we can do that by being open and honest and supportive of one another.
I am fortunate in that I have always worked in hospitals that are supportive so I need to hear what you have to say and I will share my thoughts on what worked for us soon. I don't want to come across as if I am close minded to other's situations. I just happen to think that there are many other ways to approach things than through union activity.
So I will share a few things that worked for me in the future............More later. Thank you for sharing how things are where you work. The great thing about this site is the ability to hear from people in many places and to see things through other's eyes.
I'd like to say that I'm completely offended that someone has the NERVE to tell me what my motives are in VOLUNTEERING to be a shop steward in my nurse's union but I can't because clearly these people have no firsthand experience with running a union. So, instead, I'm going to finnish writing a weekly note to my units and, yawn, go to sleep now.
Well, there are at least 3 posters on this thread that consistly post only antiunion sentiments. And that post almost exclusive on that topic, with few if any other posts on any other topics. As such, I take anything that they post with a grain of salt.
Interesting observation. I wouldn't be surprized if they're management.
Funny ... I've also noticed they've started posting on other topics since you've mentioned this.
I learned magic words in a CNA class. They can be used by an individual without union protection. They usually work and never get you in trouble.
When asked to float to a unit where I am not competent, to stay over after a 12 hour shift, or asked to admit another patient when it would be unsafe I say -
"I would if I could
but I can't
because"
(Give the reason) "To do so because to do so would place my patients in jeopardy because
"I am not competent to care for laboring mothers" or
"I would be so tired I could make an error" or
"Worry about my family would distract me into making a mistake" or
"If i admit a new patient my current patients will not get their care in a timely manner. My documentation may be incomplete. I will have to fill out an incident report."
Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care, Trauma, Neuro..
I learned magic words in a CNA class. They can be used by an individual without union protection. They usually work and never get you in trouble.
When asked to float to a unit where I am not competent, to stay over after a 12 hour shift, or asked to admit another patient when it would be unsafe I say -
"I would if I could
but I can't
because"
(Give the reason) "To do so because to do so would place my patients in jeopardy because
"I am not competent to care for laboring mothers" or
"I would be so tired I could make an error" or
"Worry about my family would distract me into making a mistake" or
"If i admit a new patient my current patients will not get their care in a timely manner. My documentation may be incomplete. I will have to fill out an incident report."
Funny, I do not work in a unionized hospital. If asked to work overtime and I do not want to all I have to do is say "NO". it works everytime all the time. I get no flack or fall out. My review does not suffer. My managers do not give me a dirty look.
When it is my turn to float ( a rare occurence ) I am floated within my "pod" or area of training. I also get a set maximum number of patients consistant or better than the "ratio's" the CNA is demanding. I am an ICU/CCU/Trauma trained nurse, so I only float to the telemetry unit, the neuro stepdown unit or the ER. I would never be asked to float to mother/baby or L&D.
We all work together, nurses caring for nurses caring for patients. It is what we (I) do.
PMHNP10
1,041 Posts
Dontcha reckon it's a safe assumption that an admin who plans on replacing licensed staff with unlicensed staff would easily qualify as "horrible", "short-sighted", or as I term them "average hospital admin (who live in a concrete world where the money is the bottom line)". You see, music posted in response to Spacenurse that she and her colleagues were able to accomplish what Spacenurse accomplished sans union, which included the situation I stated above as well as getting sharps containers in every patient room (not sure how the union helped with nurses getting blamed for meds being late despite not receiving them from the pharmacy which had also lost half the pharmacists).
Anywho, I just really want to know how music did it, because while she chooses not to have union representation and has obviously accomplished great things with bad management, I won't have the option of union representation in TX because there are no unions. I'm basically asking, no begging (once again in this thread) for tips on uniting a staff and dealing with an admin without any support if the waves I create result in being terminated. I think it's reasonable to expect that ultimately I'd be fired if the management is unwilling to budge and I continue to push (including threatening a walkout) but am unable to convince them that replacing licensed staff with unlicensed staff (for example) isn't a wise idea.