Nothing changes as long as you obey

[11blade, RN]

The wake up call most nurses have gotten (as if they didn't ALREADY know) is that management will sacrafice as many FTE's as it takes to preserve their own bonuses. The marching orders from the pointy headed ones in finance will be to push the envelope of safety with staffing numbers vs patient census as the screams for MORE VOLUME, MORE PATIENTS (with insurance, of course) come from the C Suites. Expect to see the suits in your clinical areas MUCH more in the coming weeks. Whether your work area is covered by collective bargaining or not, please read the linked article to find peace with yourself as we go forward into this 'new' not-normal workspace.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/nothing-changes-long-you-obey

[DJSexton, RN]

Hi,

I read your post with interest. It comes off as strong out of the gate. While everyone is entitled to their stance, there is generally some truth in it as well as embellishment. If I could offer anything in general, and coming from a family where dad was management and mom was union, I would offer there is a time and place for unions. Personally, I feel that if an organization is anywhere USA is practicing healthcare well, with respect to a balance with all stakeholders, it really doesn't require a union.

My experiential opinion is that if one were to advocate for something, be respected and heard at the table, one should apply the law of attraction. Diametric orientations, often absorb much energy and produce the least results. I haven't heard many a nurse being sacrificed since the OP in May, in fact the pandemic has increased the need. And I obey my boss the CNO every day. I trust her judgement explicitly.

Do you think there exists another way to advocate for issues in more collaborative ways?

[TriciaJ, RN]

On 8/3/2020 at 6:26 PM, DJSexton said:

Do you think there exists another way to advocate for issues in more collaborative ways?

Only if the other side is willing to collaborate. It's sad to even have to think of them as "the other side". As long as they keep pushing the envelope, exhorting you to keep doing more while they keep providing less, there will be no collarboration. They keep piling straws on the camel's back until it breaks. Then they replace you with another camel.

Think I'm being dramatic? The last post I read was from a new grad who is thinking of quitting because "it seems like all I do is work and eat and sleep". No one's work should eat their life like that. Nurses absolutely do need unions.

[Spartacvs, BSN]

The two sides are diametrically opposed.

- The worker wants to do the least amount of work for the most amount of money.

- The owner wants you to do the most amount of work for the least amount of money.

The worker has an alturistic motivation to do good and help their neighbor (sort of).

The owners motivation is profits, to make the most amount of money. This comes on the backs of the worker. And so a union is formed

How do we collaborate? We don't. We bargain through intimidation. This goes for the worker and the owner alike. If not for a union the intimidation is one sided in favor of the owner.

As to the OP about 'Nothing Changes As Long As You Obey'... this is true for union and non-union alike. The owner has the upper hand and the union is complicit in many respects to the owners needs.

Im Spartacvs