What Proactive things have you done...?

Sleepyeyes · Aug 20, 2002

I've written to my legislators, newspapers ....

I've talk to admin, mgmt, docs, other nurses--heck, anyone that'll listen for 5 seconds.....

I've told mgmt "no" a few times, especially when they wanna pay me some ridiculously low wage or shanghai me for extra work that I didn't sign up for.

And I won't cross a picket line.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 20, 2002

Good questions. Proactivity is our only saving grace for the future. Ok here is what I have done: (not much, I admit):

*Met state legislators w/my nursing organization in a convention setting.

*Gotten out in the community to teach others (esp kids) what NURSES really do.....to help shatter stereotypes of what we "are".

*Volunteered my services to give shots and/or do thing for the community in a nursing capacity. (it's been a while,however).

*Upheld my responsibility to act professionally at all times in and out of the work environment. I believe our image depends on us being a leading example to the communities we serve.

Granted, I have not done too much. I should do more. I just find when I am not at work, I have a very strong desire to "hang up my nurse's cap" and just be w/my family in my off-duty time. Good thread.

BadBird, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2002

I was the union organizer for our hospital.

semstr · Aug 20, 2002

Wrote to the unions etc. etc.

and trying to teach the new generation of nurses to stand up for themselves.

Keep it on, Renee

askater11 · Aug 20, 2002

I see how vocal nurses are on these threads, fighting for their beliefs.

You nurses should be proud of yourself....being proactive for yourself and the patient. Thanks for responding to this thread!!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Aug 20, 2002

Like askater11:

I've wrote to state representatives....
I've spoken with nursing managers....
Written to administrators.....
I've held my foot down once or twice....

Like SmilingBluEyes. Ive:

*Met state legislators w/my nursing organization in a convention setting.
*Gotten out in the community to teach others (esp kids) what NURSES really do.....to help shatter stereotypes of what we "are".
*Volunteered my services to give shots and/or do thing for the community in a nursing capacity. (it's been a while,however).
*Upheld my responsibility to act professionally at all times in and out of the work environment. I believe our image depends on us being a leading example to the communities we serve.

Additionally:

Serve as treasurer and Newsletter editor of district nurses assoc/PSNA.

Attended rally at State Capital for Nursing bills last year and Met JT in Washington, DC to met with Senators and Representatives---also met RN Country and Peggy Ohio from BB.

Attended ANA convention last month (erved as delegate in the past).

My 15 seconds of fame:

Started + Coordinated Nursing Rally: Millennium Nurses March May 5th, 2001 held in Phila PA. Had 40 nurses march down the streets of Philadelphia with all news stations and newspapers ccvering event. All due to activism efforts sprung from discussion at allnurses (TV interviews recorded for posterity by friends.)

1 page spread in Nursing Spectrum- Millennium Nurses March: Nurses Air Their Concerns. http://community.nursingspectrum.com/MagazineArticles/article.cfm?AID=4059

Gee, no wonder I'm tired tonight.

Jenny P · Aug 21, 2002

On the public side, I've written letters to politicians and administrators, written letters to the editor about nursing related news articles; been involved in a number of nursing rallys, spoken face to face with my legislators and left messages on their answering machines; gone into elementary schools to talk about nursing to kiids; and even been a delegate at a political convention when I felt a nurses' voice was needed. I have also worked a shift at the MNA booth at the Mn. State Fair for the past 15 years and met the public and represented nurses in the unique environment there.

Professionally, I've been active at all 3 levels of my Mn Nursing Association and have attended as a delegate every state nursing convention for the past 22 years, except for 1982 when my dtr. wouldn't be born prematurely. I have attended the past 10 or 11 ANA conventions also (8 times as a delegate also). I've written articles for my district and state ass'n newsletters, and written handouts for the state fair booth. I've served on the Board of Directors of my district association; I've chaired the Practice Commission for my state assoc. and served on that commission for 6 years.

I'm currently back on the BOD of my district and serving on several committees there.

I know I've done more; but I can't remember anymore right now.

Hope that answers your questions! :cool:

Jenny P · Aug 21, 2002

Oh, yeah, I forgot: I've also taught classes on stuff I'm interested in such as heart sounds and hemodynamics, and I try to mentor "newbies"; and encourage nurses to reach for their dreams, etc.

I'm also certified in my specialty (I'm a CCRN) and belong to my specialty organization.