Lack of solidarity in nursing

EmmaG, RN · Sep 29, 2007

why oh why is there no union??????

Because we've been convinced that regardless of how intolerable or even dangerous our working conditions may be, a union will only make it worse.

bklynborn · Sep 29, 2007

Why is that?

RN1989 · Sep 29, 2007

My personal observation is because nursing is 90+% women. It also has to do with location. One will find unions in the north, east, and western parts of the country but not in the south. Having worked in different areas of the country, I have noted that nurses in the South continue in the old ways. They are taught and expected to act with deference to authority figures (employers). They are taught to do what they are told and say nothing. Reading the posts on the forum about nurses that are expected to give up their chairs to doctors, get the doctors coffee, generally act as handmaidens - the thing I noticed is that most of the nurses were from the South. Few nurses in the North/East/Western states indicated that they were to act like maids for the doctors. Some volunteered that they would do things for docs as a courtesy to be nice but it was not expected nor required. Women in the South are still expected to act like Belles but also to work like a horse and never complain. And so they don't. They are much more easily intimidated as a whole and when a union comes in, their employer threatens them and they back down. I've been to several rallies with nurses from all over the country and places in the South have the fewest number of nurses present. I've even seen teachers rally for nurses and there were more teachers present than nurses because the nurses were too afraid to show up! I'd love to think that things will change but I see change for the worse but not for the better in the grand scheme.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 30, 2007

I think that many nurses experience subtle intimidation from their peers and supervisors when they speak up, or it may be that the nurses that are being approached may have questionable situations themselves. For example; if a nurse made a slight error that was discovered, but, overlooked by their superior may not wish to make waves (this happens every day), or a person that is a time abuser, the favorite employee of a horrible manager, etc... are basically in compromised situations that make it difficult to speak up when their own back yard is a bit littered. I am not criticizing these nurses, just stating an observation.

And, because I know the nature of people, I am not that quick to speak up with a group, because I have found myself advocating, then turning around and seeing the dust from their sneakers running in the opposite direction. I have learned the hard way not to expect much from people and if I have an issue, to address it privately. Sucks, doesn't it?

leslie :-D · Sep 30, 2007

And, because I know the nature of people, I am not that quick to speak up with a group, because I have found myself advocating, then turning around and seeing the dust from their sneakers running in the opposite direction. I have learned the hard way not to expect much from people and if I have an issue, to address it privately. Sucks, doesn't it?

up until a couple of yrs ago, i was the spokesperson for a group of nurses who continually complained about everything under the sun.

some of the complaints were valid and notable.

one particular day, after speaking w/the boss about one of these complaints, she turned to me and said, "leslie, you don't have to fix everyone and everything".

it was like lightening struck.

i just looked at her, finally realizing that i had been the one fighting others battles.

yet, i was the only one to do so.

and i realized that day, that dammit, no more.

i felt like a great burden had been lifted.

not only was i fighting this alone, i was being eyed as the troublemaker!

there certainly isn't any cohesiveness in nsg...not w/the issues that need addressing.

it's too bad.

i can only imagine what could be accomplished, if we only stuck together.

leslie

bklynborn · Sep 30, 2007

I read in a nursing magazine one time that until more men come into the field these problems will go one. Men don't put up with as much as women and tend to get things corrected..................I wonder wy that is?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 30, 2007

I read in a nursing magazine one time that until more men come into the field these problems will go one. Men don't put up with as much as women and tend to get things corrected..................I wonder wy that is?

I am only speaking from my personal observations, but I find that men are more practical in their thinking than we are. For them, things are either black or white, but we women make rainbows. JMHO.

bklynborn · Sep 30, 2007

Amen, women tend to talk issues to death..................we are tough with our words, but when it comes right down to it we are not brave enough to stand up.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 30, 2007

up until a couple of yrs ago, i was the spokesperson for a group of nurses who continually complained about everything under the sun.
some of the complaints were valid and notable.
one particular day, after speaking w/the boss about one of these complaints, she turned to me and said, "leslie, you don't have to fix everyone and everything".
it was like lightening struck.
i just looked at her, finally realizing that i had been the one fighting others battles.
yet, i was the only one to do so.
and i realized that day, that dammit, no more.
i felt like a great burden had been lifted.
not only was i fighting this alone, i was being eyed as the troublemaker!
there certainly isn't any cohesiveness in nsg...not w/the issues that need addressing.
it's too bad.
i can only imagine what could be accomplished, if we only stuck together.
leslie

I had these issues while in nursing school. I was very vocal, but it was FOR ME...and the fact that the situations occurred within the classroom, and was the best forum to address those issues. I have been in nursing since my early 20's, so, I knew the capabilities of people to lean on others (mainly me) and decided to just address issues that pertained specifically to me. In any event, the students used to corner me and ask me to address their concerns for them, and I used to flat out refuse to assist them in any way. I was eyed as the troublemaker in nursing school, but the politics were a bit different...we were the first LPN class, the program director needed to make an impression, and I was valedictorian, so, while she didn't care for me, she didn't buck me the same way because she needed me to graduate. If these same issues arose and I were in a more established program, the results would have ended differently. Now, I do the same, I am careful with what I say, the possible impact on me speaking and I only deal with my own issues. If another whiner wants to cry, I tell them to take it to the supervisor. It's all about survival, now when you think about it. No reason to be labeled as a trouble maker and make my life more difficult and the scaredy cats have the benefits.

Sabby_NC · Sep 30, 2007

When I worked back in Australia our unions were great but now I wonder if they are slipping as they are here!

I am one that is quite happy to voice my opinion and stand up to what I believe. I cannot worry if others share my sentiments or not. At the end of the day I am responsible for myself and my own actions eh??

bklynborn · Sep 30, 2007

Granted some people are whiners.........but there are also REAL issues that need to be addressed and aren't because of nurses unwillingness to take a stand. For example late Friday admits to the NH that arrive from the hospital management has made the arrangements but of course the pt arrives after they have gone home for the day....................they have been promised all their meds will be there on arrival (especially the ones NOT in the e-kit).............guess what no meds!!!!! Missing meds are narcotics and psycotropics...............pt has to go all weekend with out meds as pharmacy is out of town and won't satellite or taki them.........grrrr.............of course management is off for the weekend.........we have to deal with pt and family members.