I need opinions from practicing RN's for school project

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

Hi,

I'm 2 weeks away from the end of my program and will be doing a presentation on the advantages and disadvantage of union nursing. I need to hear from 3 nurses who are either part of a union or planning to join to find out why they think it benefits them and why they joined.

I also need to hear from 3 nurses who either have no interest in joining or were once part of a union and no longer are. Also, if you could state your reasons for not being a union member, that would be great.

When responding, if you could put a sentence or two regarding how long you've been a nurse, your specialty, and what area of the country you're in, that would be terrific.

I thank everyone in advance who is able to help me in this project. I really want to inform my nursing class about unions, what they are and the pros and cons so that they can make their own decision about whether to join.

Melanie

Graduate May 2005

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I graduated from an ADN program 5/93. I started working in Wis in an institution for MR/DD. The union at the institution was quite strong. Dues were not terrible at the time. It was nice knowing that there was no favoritism played when it came to wages. However, it was also a bummer knowing that one nurse who always did extremely well, never called in, was a strong team leader got paid the same that one who was just the opposite. The union supposedly went to bat for you if issues came up. To me, it just seemed a matter of "following the union rules". Ultimately, management did whatever they wanted to do regardless of what a union rep said.

I now work in North Carolina (moved here 3 1/2 yrs ago). My experience down here is primarily med/surg. As far as I know, NC is NOT union-friendly. I actually prefer it this way. We get merit raises here. Makes me strive to do my absolute best throughout the year knowing that my performance will pay off for me in the end. I think the nurses that I work with feel pretty much the same way (although most have no experience w/ unions). The only negative that I can think of is.......you guessed it STAFFING RATIOS. I think that unionization might force management to become more aware of how things are for us. IMO, unions can be great. However, the union has to be strong and not wimpy. They have to be willing to take a stand.

Hope this helps.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

Yes...that's exactly what I meant. I appreciate your response!! 1 down, 5 more to go........

Melanie :p

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I have worked in both environments. I prefer the union one due to better pay, better treatment and a stronger voice for nursing in the hospital. My union takes care of our needs very well, aned staffing ratios as well as pay and differentials, rose substantially for me once the union was brought in where I work. Also, I never encounter strong-arm attempts to make me work when they are short-staffed ( I have elsewhere where there was no union present). I am compensated well when I DO chose to work extra. All in all, I have to say, I am VERY happy with my union.

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i thought this allnurse/com thread about unions might help you.

i just turned in my paper on a similar topic yesterday.

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