How powerful are hospital unions?

Woodenpug, BSN · Mar 13, 2012

Sorry, Psychology got in the way of my answer, it is really a deep subject...Union's and CA...they seem to be doing good for the nurses there! Just like the teamsters did for my Dad....

O.K. pro - union. My point was different. I was attempting to convey the idea that we need not be helpless victims, we can respond "outside the box."

:My minority opinion is that unions are still "in the box."

The Skinner reference is still, ....missed. Hint: I was referencing his "pop-psy" books.

RN Zeke · Mar 13, 2012

B. F. Skinner.....Out of the box.

Dana1969 · Mar 13, 2012

Our union (CNA) has zero power in our facility. During the last contract negotiation, two the four nurses on the bargaining team were summarily fired (given the choice of submitting their two week notices, or being terminated that day). I worked with one of them, and kno for a fact that the allgedged infraction was not true. One of them is suing, the other has given up. Management will lie, cheat, and obfuscate to cover their behinds. While the nurses just keep getting thrown under that bus we call healthcare. CNA is a joke.

nicurn001 · Mar 14, 2012

The joke is that nurses moan and groan about their employers , but are not prepared to do a damn thing about it . On the occasions the nurses have stood together in my facility we have ALWAYS got what we wanted , yet even with that record , some will not do anything to stand up for what is right , they will ask what the union is doing re. a problem , my response is what are you prepared to do , if they offer nothing I have told them then thre union will be unable to do anything as they are the union !.

Dana , what did you and your coworkers do to support your bargaining team members ? .

Woodenpug, BSN · Mar 14, 2012

That may be why I have always been disappointed by my experiences with closed shops. Then again, I notice that a large union participates in "Occupy wherever," but does not seem to be strongly advocating for nursing concerns. The occupy movement is important, but a union representing nurses interests would be active in advocating for nurses. Pay, which equals more union dues, is not the only issue. For example, hospitals should be governed by nurses. The least acceptable outcome should be that a majority of the governing board is licensed as an RN.

But, I am trying to keep an open mind. It's hard after several years of negative experiences. I recognize my bias.

allnurses Guide · Mar 15, 2012

Nursing Practice and Patient Advocacy | National Nurses United

http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/issues/entry/ratios

Woodenpug, BSN · Mar 15, 2012

Let's see, is NNU in any way connected with the union that opposed the compact, cuz practice was so different in different states? I guess not. Unions are great. I should know the horse in Animal Farm is my cousin.

allnurses Guide · Mar 15, 2012

i don't think the state can take action against the actual out of state license regardless of the impact on patient safety. for instance the statistically successful diversion programs many states have to help impaired nurses regain their licenses after treatment could only be used in the actual state of licensure. the only possible action to protect the public would be for the state where the offense occurred to attempt to revoke the compact license altogether.

also in my state rns have the obligation and the right to advocate in the best interest of the patient. i some states nurses are expected to put the budget of the employer before what is best for patient care.

troubled nurses skip from state to state under compact

nurse craig peske was fired from a hospital in wausau, wis., in 2007 after stealing the powerful painkiller dilaudid "whenever the opportunity arose," [color=#2262cc]state records say [2]. in one three-month period, he signed out 245 syringes full of the drug-nine times the average of his fellow nurses.
hospital officials reported him to wisconsin nursing regulators and alerted police.
six months later, peske was charged with six felony counts of narcotic possession. but by that time, he had used a special "multistate" license to get a job as a traveling nurse at a hospital 1,200 miles away in new bern, n.c.
"when i went to go for the job in north carolina, i looked at the status of my license and it was still active," said peske, 36, who was later convicted of two felony drug charges. "that kind of surprised me, so i figured i would take it."
the ease of peske's move illustrates significant gaps in regulatory efforts nationwide to keep nurses from avoiding the consequences of misconduct by hopping across state lines. ...
troubled nurses skip from state to state under compact - propublica

Woodenpug, BSN · Mar 15, 2012

i don't think the state can take action against the actual out of state license regardless of the impact on patient safety. for instance the statistically successful diversion programs many states have to help impaired nurses regain their licenses after treatment could only be used in the actual state of licensure. the only possible action to protect the public would be for the state where the offense occurred to attempt to revoke the compact license altogether.
also in my state rns have the obligation and the right to advocate in the best interest of the patient. i some states nurses are expected to put the budget of the employer before what is best for patient care.

and i feel guilty for being "off topic."

RN Zeke · Mar 16, 2012

I am a compact RN with multiple license....We are finger printed, back ground check, credit check, child support check...on and on with our CHECKS. Sure some must fall fall thru the crack, but whose fault is that?

Woodenpug, BSN · Mar 16, 2012

I am a compact RN with multiple license....We are finger printed, back ground check, credit check, child support check...on and on with our CHECKS. Sure some must fall fall thru the crack, but whose fault is that?

Well, historically, it's because the NNU was not supported enough to oppose the compact. Most of us know the NNU as CNA opposed the compact. Since the union is always right, it must be because we have not participated enough to meet the union agenda. Too bad the patient suffers.

RN Zeke · Mar 16, 2012

This post needs to be moved to a different thread. Responding and not having knowledge of compact requirements and union requirements should not happen. Good Bye!