First Unionized Hospital in Texas

RN1989 · Apr 4, 2008

You would need to check with the union to see if any coverage is available for LVNs but usually this is not the case. Because of the differences in the nurse practice act between RN/LVN, it would be harder to negotiate everything for both LVNs and RNs due to pay difference, level of responsibility, standards of care, etc. If something were to hang up on one side or the other (RN vs LVN contract problems) it could affect everyone adversely. It is much harder to fight 2 or three fronts than just on one for one specific group of people. I imagine this is why LVNs are not included.

Chico David, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2008

This seems to indicate RNs only. What about LVNs? Espeically since we are doing the exact same job on the floor for less pay.

Two answers here:

1. Our organization started life as an RN union and so far has not felt it made sense to change that. By focusing on he role of the RN we are able to speak with a clearer voice than if we needed to balance the interests of different groups. We value the work of all of our co-workers and would love to work with other unions in helping them to unionize in the same hospitals where RNs do. So far, no other union we feel comfortable working with has wanted to take on the difficult project of organizing in Texas. We remain hopeful on that one.

2. If you are in fact "doing the exact same job on the floor" there may be something wrong. I don't know the nurse practice act in Texas myself, since I'm not one of the nurses directly involved there, but in California, there are substantial differences between RN and LVN/LPN practice. The one people notice most visibly is the ability to give IV meds. The one that actually matters more is that the elements of the nursing process - assessment, evaluation and planning of care - are legally reserved for the RN. The LVN can perform most of the tasks involved in delivering the care, but the overall responsibility for the nursing process is with the RN.

arvolina · Apr 4, 2008

Every state is sooo different. Want I want for christmas is national uniformity. We have a nurse that moved from CA to TX. We had to teach her almost everything! LVNs don't start blood, don't do PCA pumps here (do on FL), don't change port dressings, and really shouldn't do any admission... but somehow that's been rationalized into RNs do pages 1, 3, 15... you do the rest. Ditto for some drips - hep, for ex. We've got the same trach, vent, and tube pts. Sometimes we get the greater # of pts "in case" an admit is coming, so the RN will be spared for that. LVN/LPNs need protection too. :scrying:

RN1989 · Apr 4, 2008

Every state is sooo different. Want I want for christmas is national uniformity. We have a nurse that moved from CA to TX. We had to teach her almost everything! LVNs don't start blood, don't do PCA pumps here (do on FL), don't change port dressings, and really shouldn't do any admission... but somehow that's been rationalized into RNs do pages 1, 3, 15... you do the rest. Ditto for some drips - hep, for ex. We've got the same trach, vent, and tube pts. Sometimes we get the greater # of pts "in case" an admit is coming, so the RN will be spared for that. LVN/LPNs need protection too.

Unfortunately both RNs and LVNs have allowed this type of thing to happen. By being silent as well as not being cognizant of the nurse practice act, this is what has happened in many places. It is inappropriate, unsafe, and against the nurse practice act as well as standards of care of most nursing organizations.

There is also the issue of LVNs feeling useless and belittled because they are not allowed to perform the same tasks as RNs. I have known many LVNs who felt slighted at not being allowed to do the tasks and fought long and hard to convince the manager and hospital to perform the tasks that are generally considered RN only in various states. Thus I would think that LVNs themselves need to become more organized and work with the SBON to clearly define the differences and ensure that everyone adheres to them. This is not something that RNs and RN organizations can do. This must come from persons holding LVN/LPN licenses. In addition, if an LVN is unhappy with the restrictions placed on them due to the nature of their base education, they should recognize that they have the power to attend an institution that allows them to become an RN and that educates them on the distinct differences in responsibility of each of the nursing levels.

allnurses Guide · Apr 4, 2008

It is not fair for hospitals to assign an LVN the same responsibility yet noy the PAY.

And nursing homes are worse!

I think once more RNs are organized in Texas LVNs, RTs and others will do so too.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Apr 5, 2008

that is stinkin' awesome!

DARLENEDAVIS · Nov 23, 2008

Just curious I had brought a public document with the proposed new staffing ratios for Texas to my department manager to ask her what she thought of it and how it would affect us in our department and she said she would find out what she could about the bill and get back with me (this was a couple of weeks ago) and just the other day I said hello to the Director of Nursing who verbally in the main hallway of our hospital in front of my patients families and another coworker nurse threatened to fire me on the spot if I ever bring another piece of paper regarding this proposed staffing bill in the hospital...I was floored. I honestly wanted an opinion from my department manager about this bill I wasnt UNION ORGANIZING or trying to be covert or hide anything but this DON verbally was abusive to me in PUBLIC and I wasn't aware there was and I am still not aware of any hospital policy that prohibits me from asking questions regarding the hospitals role or effect it would have if the bill was made into law....Can A DON fire me for asking public forum questions of my department manager...Does Texas let them fire us nurses for that and only that reason? Confused and feeling disappointed as I am always sticking up for this hospital and go out of my way to promote GOODWILL for this hospital...

Chico David, BSN, RN · Nov 23, 2008

Just curious I had brought a public document with the proposed new staffing ratios for Texas to my department manager to ask her what she thought of it and how it would affect us in our department and she said she would find out what she could about the bill and get back with me (this was a couple of weeks ago) and just the other day I said hello to the Director of Nursing who verbally in the main hallway of our hospital in front of my patients families and another coworker nurse threatened to fire me on the spot if I ever bring another piece of paper regarding this proposed staffing bill in the hospital...I was floored. I honestly wanted an opinion from my department manager about this bill I wasnt UNION ORGANIZING or trying to be covert or hide anything but this DON verbally was abusive to me in PUBLIC and I wasn't aware there was and I am still not aware of any hospital policy that prohibits me from asking questions regarding the hospitals role or effect it would have if the bill was made into law....Can A DON fire me for asking public forum questions of my department manager...Does Texas let them fire us nurses for that and only that reason? Confused and feeling disappointed as I am always sticking up for this hospital and go out of my way to promote GOODWILL for this hospital...

You have now had the unfortunate experience of being exposed to one of the sad realities of employment in America. In the absence of a union contract, almost anywhere in the USA you can be fired for any reason or for absolutely no reason. Most workers who have never been through it imagine that there is some sort of legal principle that protects you against unfair termination. The fact is that there are a few reasons you can not be fired: you can't be fired because of your age, race or gender. In a few states, you can't be fired for your sexual orientation. But virtually everywhere, you can be fired for no reason at all. It's called being an "at will employee". The overreaction of the DON can be explained by the fact that Texas has long been a non-union environment in healthcare and the managers very much want to keep it that way. Now that CNA/NNOC has won one organizing election and now that Texas members of NNOC are making progress on passing a staffing ratio bill, managers are in a panic. I'm sure you'll get to see more of the same in the future. Without a union contract, no worker has any meaningful protection on the job.

PMHNP10 · Nov 27, 2008

I really really wish some nurses would tell us how things are going after a few months of unionization; has anything changed? better? worse? and provide specific examples, please.

what I do know is that I've heard a nearby Tenet hospital is likely to have some union activity as well; couldn't happen to a better organization

Iam46yearsold · Nov 29, 2008

Texas will stay a nonunion environment also. Texas has well run establishments with few significant problems. The hospitals are employee friendly, patient caring, and very good. The complaints I have heard about hospitals really for the most seem unsubstantiated and trivial and overly dramatized. Nursing homes I can not attest to, as Ive never been in one.

rowan_dreams · Dec 9, 2008

Wow. I was thinking about moving to Houston. Thanks for sharing!!