How Many Nurses are Glad They Have a Union

augigi, CNS · Nov 22, 2006

I'm in Australia, and joined the union mostly because they offered malpractice insurance. I also worked as a unit union rep for a while.

To be honest, the one time I needed them, for legal support at a coroner's court case, they were completely useless. I never rejoined after that.

Our nurse/patient ratios and pay scales were state-mandated though.

JentheRN05, RN · Nov 22, 2006

There isn't any unions at all for nurses in my area, at least not as far as I know. Not to mention I don't work anywhere i could put it to use (small residential home DON).

debbyed · Nov 23, 2006

Worked for a Union once:crying2: . I paid them alot:twocents: , I got nothing in return:banghead: . Won't do it again:deadhorse .

Sheri257 · Nov 23, 2006

While that certainly can be true in some cases, the data clearly shows that union dues are generally a great investment.

The average union RN makes $7,000 more a year than non-union RN's. Even if union dues are as much as $1,000 (which, in many cases union dues are a lot lower than that) ...

You still get a 600 percent rate of return on your investment with the extra $6,000 in income. Try investing $1,000 in stock market and getting $7,000 by the end of the year.

:typing

Simplepleasures · Nov 23, 2006

Could anyone speak to the issue of protection, how has or has not a union rep helped you out in a tough spot?

Trauma Columnist · Nov 23, 2006

I have worked in Nevada, Indiana and Illinois and have never been a member of a union. However, I have been in a very dicey situation while employed at my last hospital. They supported me 100% and even though there was bad press for a very prominent member of our community, the hospital still backed my decision and the CEO even made a special point to meet with me privately and told me that he knew I had made a very difficult decision but that he was very proud that I worked at the facility.

Worked there for 10 years.

Fiona59 · Nov 23, 2006

Most Canadian nurses are unionized. Covers my professional insurance. Gives support with management if needed.

Paid vacations, health benefits, maternity leaves -- all the result of unions stepping in for the worker.

So if you don't believe in unions, do you still want these things that unions have gained and made almost a standard for workers?

midwestvintage · Nov 23, 2006

We have a union but it is not a nursing union. They have done nothing to address nurse patient ratio, forced working 1/2 hour later even without a break, working part of your holiday off, and manditory overtime. We make slightly more money but I think it is still what I would have made even without the union. Plus the threatened strikes stress our patients out big time. If it was a nursing union I might join but not this one.

guerrierdelion · Nov 24, 2006

I am appreciative that my union is willing to give my Governor Schwarzenegger a reality check and keep him in check in regard to messing around with nurse/patient ratios.

ns lpn · Nov 26, 2006

I am also a canadian nurse and yes union dues suck, but I wouldn't work somewhere without a union. It gives me job security, better wages, retirement money, ect...

I truly do not know about protection - except if I'm ever called to the office for discipline it is my right to have a union rep with me. Also I think the employer is only allowed to use things against the employee within a year or two of the reprimand anything prior is not allowed to be used in terms of termination. I've never been through it so I can't say how it all works but I know its helped other employees (good ones and not so good ones)

PACNWNURSING · Dec 2, 2006

I am kind of nervous of unions because of hospitals are not money making businesses, though hospitals need nurses in order to function, I do not want nurses having to strike in order to get their way. Through all this the patients must come first.