If no union in right-to-work state, then what?

[callmecrazyRN]

I live and work in Louisiana. Judging by our southern morals and being "set in our ways", we will probably never get a union or at least any time soon. Any suggestions to help increase NURSE safety, a safer nurse/patient ratio, nursing wages (baseline, we make $20/hr), and generally increase nurse well-being? REALLY wanting to make changes in my establishment....

[Chisca, RN]

I've also seen managers protect bad employee much more then unions do.

So damn true.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

I think it's worth mentioning that hospitals carry insurance to cover the cost of the travel nurses who work during the strike.

No one in my family has ever been on the wrong side of a picket line and none of us ever will.

The Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and later the United

Steelworkers Union afforded my ancestors safe working conditions and a living wage.

They wouldn't cave even with shots fired at the picket line. They would be ashamed of what we as professional nurses are putting up with.

It is time for our nursing leaders to take a stand.

[kuippo]

right to work does NOt mean no union

it means if a union comes in then you can work without joining.

anyone in nursing needs a union especially in southern states such as miss, texas arizona !

[Crazynut]

Unions are required to give adequate notice of strikes. It's required by federal law. I am def pro organized labor. Usually in the form of unions. However, unions are not a knight in shining armor. They don't swoop in to save the day. They all have their own set of disadvantages. I would love to see nurses organize themselves and fight for changes on their own. Big Health Care means Big Money and I want us to keep the most money for ourselves. Don't want a union taking a cut of my money. But I have found that 1) a lot of nurses have no balls and will never fight back 2) nurses are just kinda lazy. So until we get off our assess. Sorry I'm going with the union. It's the lesser of the two evils. And yes I'm from the South! Union is my fave dirty word to say. I love saying it loudly out in public. Just to see people's reactions. Hahahaha There are more of us here than you think. We should get together sometime. Start a group!

[Crazynut]

Libbyliberal I love you and your family! People forget that unions played a huge role in our country. And played a huge role in the industrial revolution that propelled the US to is super power status. Never forget the past. Never forget your roots.

[kuippo]

the hospital that a union is most needed is YUMA YRMC in arizona!!!!

talk about dirty under handed. and when they go after you , stupid nurses believe their lies and spread more stuff about you. so they have a whole hospital full of underhanded lying staff. staff who went their because they could not find work other places, just my opinion, been there done that.

So damn true.

[kuippo]

i would love to know your experience.

the housing experience was a night mare of a bunch of people who come back every year and run with place, ! lying, nasty , bully types.

just found out the criminal housing person is fired. she deserved it , of course why was she hired AND why wasnt she fired LONG ago. my opinion she should never have had that job, running background checks on would be tenants, uh check your records .

[BlinkyPinky]

I have often wished for a ( real) union . I work in FL and nurses are at the literal mercy of the employer. Add to that working for the state, and , well you have it stacked against you. " Fighting City Hall" x 1,000.

If someone came in , Norma Rae style, and tried to institute a real union Id be right there on board. But I'd probably have a witch hunt started against me at work , so I'd have to prepare for alternative employment anyway

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

Some nurses in Florida are represented for collective bargaining. Others work with them to improve conditions for all nurses.

Read this regarding violence against nurses and other healthcare workers:

Nurses Want Solution to ‘Epidemic' of Workplace Violence | National Nurses United

Nurses rally saying workplace violence is an epidemic

National Nurses United wants lawmakers to force all hospitals to implement policies that protect healthcare workers from violence.

The union calls violence towards nurses in hospitals an epidemic.

Louise Eastty works as a nurse in the intensive care unit of a Pasco County hospital.

She has witnessed coworkers sent to the emergency room because a patient or a patient's relative assaults them.

"We are just here to say it's not OK,” she said. We are here to help. We are here to heal. We are not here to be hurt."...

Nurses rally saying workplace violence is an epidemic. - Story | abcactionnews.com | Tampa Bay News, Weather, Sports, Things To Do | WFTS-TV

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[qaqueen]

I work for an organization where we do not even say the "U" word. Bigger taboo than the "Q' word. I think that if a union is not an option (not suggesting that I am for or against), working for a magnet hospital is the next best choice.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I work for an organization where we do not even say the "U" word. Bigger taboo than the "Q' word. I think that if a union is not an option (not suggesting that I am for or against), working for a magnet hospital is the next best choice.

I would heartily disagree given Magnet hospital's well deserved reputation as being crappy places to work.

[callmecrazyRN]

YEAHHHHHHHHHH.....I'm not going move. A lot of people can't just "up and move." I love my state, the culture, and don't want to be far from family. So, thanks for playing.