Making a difference for our profession

"I know what I want, I just don't know how to go about getting it...."

Quote from the Jimi Hendrix song Manic Depression.

Wish I knew the answer, healinghand.

Originally posted by healinghand

Nurses are overworked,dissatisfied with the work scene,too many patients to handle,getting frustrated by hospital policy,Working overtime and still surviving.

What do we need to do; to make a difference to our profession?

How can we make it better for us and patients too?

There are thousands in line to jump into this profession.

I know personally ;as the one ,in waiting list for nursing school .

Nurses are first going to have to grow a backbone before they can stand up to what is wrong with our profession. They are going to have to learn to use the voice they were born with.

They are going to have to unify as a strongfront who says "No more abuse!"

Nurses need to get serious enough about what is happening, stand up and be strong patient advocates, and schedule a date and time to walk out and picket in front of every hospital across the United States.....in unison...like every year when we have "World Prayer Day"....it's scheduled on the same Friday at the same time (noon) so all churches and people can be in prayer for our nation.

Until this happens......nursing and patient care will continue to decline beyond safety and reason.

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer

Nurses need to get serious enough about what is happening, stand up and be strong patient advocates, and schedule a date and time to walk out and picket in front of every hospital across the United States.....in unison

Until this happens......nursing and patient care will continue to decline beyond safety and reason.

Strong patient advocates, I suggest you check what a advocate is. It is not walking out on the patient for sure.

Striking is not the answer, it would work until the first patient dies, then public confidence is lost along with any support.

Originally posted by Mike RGN

Strong patient advocates, I suggest you check what a advocate is. It is not walking out on the patient for sure.

Striking is not the answer, it would work until the first patient dies, then public confidence is lost along with any support.

No need to check Mike. I understand fully what being a patient advocate is. Just like war.........somebody's got to do it to bring about change. Innocent people are always caught in the middle of "war". Patients are in the battlefield with us whether they want to be or not. To make things better for all concerned -- especially the patient population that depend on us for health services -- we all must be determined to take a stand in unison so that our children and grandchildren won't face healthcare the way it is being dished out in today's hospitals.

There are NOT enough nurses staffing the floors to provide a safe haven and safe standards for patients even with the nurses AT THEIR BEDSIDES. Patients are dying with us on the floor let alone out picketing in front of the hospitals, so do you call that "safe"???? I sure as heck don't.

We know we need a strong, national union, we know we need to stand together. Okay, how? You start.

See?

What we really need is a strong, pro-nurse leader. Someone who can help us organize and unite. I used to think that maybe Laura Gasparas-Vonfrolio would be that person, but not anymore.

The migrant farm workers had Chuy Rivera. We need someone in that same vein on our side.

How about "Echo Heron"?

Originally posted by Jaaaman

How about "Echo Heron"?

She is more like a romantic story-book heroine of nursing, not a leader. Besides, I don't think we can just come up w/ a name. I mean, then what? Do we send them an email telling them they've been nominated to direct the furure course of nursing?

The person has to step into the role of their own accord.

The union is already started. The American Nurse Association started an RN union called United American Nurses backed by the AFL_CIO. You can call them and get something going at your hospital.

Originally posted by Hellllllo Nurse

The migrant farm workers had Chuy Rivera. We need someone in that same vein on our side.

Chuy Rivera???

Do you mean Cesar Chavez?

We know we need a strong, national union, we know we need to stand together. Okay, how? You start.

See?

What we really need is a strong, pro-nurse leader. Someone who can help us organize and unite. I used to think that maybe Laura Gasparas-Vonfrolio would be that person, but not anymore.

The migrant farm workers had Chuy Rivera. We need someone in that same vein on our side.

I have a question? Why not Laura Gasparas-Vonfrolio?

Chuy Rivera???

Do you mean Cesar Chavez?

Cesar Chavez is the name she wants. I think she has mixed him up with Che Guevara!!

There is actually a postage stamp honoring Cesar Chavez now--a true hero.

Then again, Che Guevara had his good points, too--as does Fidel Castro--