WOW! I became in house registry with a Medical Center in Orange County California over a year ago after working 5 years outside registry. I enjoyed the staff at this facility and had begun to feel "at home". However, since the staffing ratios went into effect, this facility decided that the nursing staff should absorb the increased cost by eliminating our CNA's. In fact, forcing them to sign letters of resignation. That makes us primary care for 6 patients from a demographic profile that includes homeless frequent flier med seekers, non compliant chronics, SNF patients with aspiration pneumonia on NGT who must be restrained, patients with stage 4 on clinitron beds who require frequent cleaning, turning, not to mention feeders. Enough of the "cue the violins" and on to the reality....We are non union, non contract staffers who, upon voicing our concerns were told by Administration "you voted for the ratios, what are you *****ing about?" and the ever famous "If you don't like it, there is the door." Many of my commrades have been with this facility for 20 plus years and risk losing pensions, benefits and are ill equipped to place themselves back in the market.
I have been vocal regarding the potential impact on patient safety, work place injury and the unscupulous practice of Human Resources in "coercing" our dedicated CNA's to sign letters of resignation. Well, my big mouth paid off.
I was told by HR that I was being terminated for inciting "insubordination". I am back in the trenches as a Registry Nurse and am hoping that those who are left behind at this facility will take a stand . What a mind blower huh?
. Let us hope, the public and patients someday realize the games hospital administrators play with their lives and the morale of those they trust to care for them.
Yes this is the real isue underneath all the scheming hospital administrators do. They are deceiving the public and are not walking the walk of caring, just talking the talk. The public as well as administtrators tend to see nurses in their own narrow POV today... the way to get all THEIR wants met. Today, administrations are not held accountable for their role as employers or providers. In employment at will states, its their way or the highway..
Nurses have to start by organizing and effecting change ourselves, IMO, rather than relying on others to do it FOR us.
(there goes my Yankee union agitator in the south talk again...LOL) :rotfl:
. Let us hope, the public and patients someday realize the games hospital administrators play with their lives and the morale of those they trust to care for them.
Yes this is the real isue underneath all the scheming hospital administrators do. They are deceiving the public and are not walking the walk of caring, just talking the talk. The public as well as administtrators tend to see nurses in their own narrow POV today... the way to get all THEIR wants met. Today, administrations are not held accountable for their role as employers or providers. In employment at will states, its their way or the highway..
Nurses have to start by organizing and effecting change ourselves, IMO, rather than relying on others to do it FOR us.
(there goes my Yankee union agitator in the south talk again...LOL) :rotfl:
Im just a newbee in my first year of school. I havent even seen a patient yet and you all are scaring the heck out of me!
Kat, I hope you come back here often and use this site as a resource. Would your concerns be any different, however, if you had chosen another profession? Law, retail, travel etc.? My point is, you chose nursing for a reason and you bring yourself to the profession. The primary reason I am here with those 2 sacred and hard earned initials after my name is because I value life, I can make a difference and I will be the first person to stand up and say something is wrong, dangerous or unethical. You have the power and together we are much stronger! Please don't forget that long hard thing running down your posterior area, it's called a BACKBONE! FLEX IT BABY!!!!!
Yes this is the real isue underneath all the scheming hospital administrators do. They are deceiving the public and are not walking the walk of caring, just talking the talk. The public as well as administtrators tend to see nurses in their own narrow POV today... the way to get all THEIR wants met. Today, administrations are not held accountable for their role as employers or providers. In employment at will states, its their way or the highway..
Nurses have to start by organizing and effecting change ourselves, IMO, rather than relying on others to do it FOR us.
(there goes my Yankee union agitator in the south talk again...LOL) :rotfl:
Unfortunately, organizing is not easily done. There are exactly zero union hospitals in the entire state of Texas, for example. A couple of years ago, nurses tried to unionize here at a hospital in Longview, TX but it failed. (I don't know why they chose the 'Teamsters' as their organization, but can't help but wonder if the lousy reputation of Teamsters didn't have a lot to do with the failure!) The nurses at that hospital are miserable for the most part.....I know they use mandatory overtime, staff short and pay poorly. I wouldn't consider working there.
I've worked several hospitals over the years since 1992 and as far as I can tell, it isn't just the Columbia facilities that are hell holes....I think they all are and I loathed them all. I've just started home health and it's different but much less stressful. I don't ever want to go back to a hospital.
UPDATE!!! Since getting canned I followed one posters advice and filed for unemployment, citing "wrongfull termination". During my telephone interview with EDD the case worker asked me if I had received any "prior warning" that I had been in any violation of policy and I was honest and forthright in stating NO ! Well, upon my return from an extended family reunion out of state, I find a sour dumpling in my mail, a ruling from EDD stating I had been TURNED DOWN FOR BENEFITS!!!! The reason... I was "discharged" because I BROKE A REASONABLE EMPLOYER RULE!!!
After I stopped laughing at the words "reasonable" and "rule" in reference to this facility it occurs to me that here in California nurses have become moving targets in light of the "staffing ratio law" and the focus by our media blaming us for the closures of trauma centers.
I intend to appeal of course, however continue to feel victimized by this facility for being outspoken and vocal in defending patient safety and supporting my partners that remain in this hostile environment. I have contacted reporters, regulatory agencies and any and all resources in an effort to shed some light on a very dangerous situation to no avail.
I have been unable to obtain new employment to date despite very positive interviews with potential employers and am concerned that this facility has somehow "blackballed" me when called upon for a reference. I'm stumped. Did they win?
I, too, have been in two situations over my career where I was placed in a position for which administration held all the cards. I admire the courage of any of us who can speak up for the rights of our patients over protocol at times. When I started nursing with that bright "deer in the headlights" look so many newbies have, I had no idea that nursing was part of a business world. I went into nursing because my training and my talents would help and benifit the patients I would ultamately have. That love is there, but sometimes a bit tarnished. Accuity is continuing to rise, ratios are not always adjusted, and at times the ancilliary help is not there. I, too, have raised a wave and found myself out. And I would do it again. Kudos!!!!
mattsmom81
4,516 Posts
Yes this is the real isue underneath all the scheming hospital administrators do. They are deceiving the public and are not walking the walk of caring, just talking the talk. The public as well as administtrators tend to see nurses in their own narrow POV today... the way to get all THEIR wants met. Today, administrations are not held accountable for their role as employers or providers. In employment at will states, its their way or the highway..
Nurses have to start by organizing and effecting change ourselves, IMO, rather than relying on others to do it FOR us.
(there goes my Yankee union agitator in the south talk again...LOL) :rotfl: