A recent study led by Vanderbilt University professor Peter Buerhaus polled registered nurses about two timely issues -- the state of health care and the importance of the issue in the upcoming election.
With a close election expected, the country's three million registered nurses could make a difference in the election, Buerhaus says.
Most nurses interviewed support some form of universal health care coverage, although opinions vary on just how extensive coverage should be.
Very few approve of the country's health care system as it stands now, the survey shows.
...Slightly more than half, or 51 percent, believe that if all nurses could join together to address one health problem, it would be the number of uninsured Americans.
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
Just a friendly reminder to please avoid straying from the topic of the thread, which is specifically regarding Nurses & the Election. Please note that there are many other active general election threads in the politics forum. Thanks! :)
Well, as good citizens, we must vote! We should encoursge others to become well informed about the candidates and issues and model an intelligent approach (by attending meetings of the party of their choice, watching debates on TV, reading newspaper accounts that really describe candidates' political backgrounds). I know, my feet hurt too, and family pressures take a lot of my time, but the future of all of us is at stake.
I read Michael Moore's latest book, "Mike's Guide to the Presidential Election 2008" (yes, I know he has his own viewpoint, but what, aside from improving our country's healthcare, is his agenda? - we all want self agrandisement and better healthcare delivery).
The book is a hoot!! Unfortunately it was published on July 17, just before McCain's birthday and announcement....... It's easy to read and contains accurate facts about most states' election of politicians and their stands, weighing in heavily on the democratic side. But if you don't read it, how can you support/refute it?
My favorite parts were about McCain's wife Cindy ruffling his hair playfully, and saying " It's getting a little thin" (the only part of this obese, CAD ridden, formerly malnourished POW that is). His rough response was, "And you look like a whore with all your makeup, you c___" (That was written in a different book about Mc Cain that he didn't say was out of line). He is evidently somewhat irritable with a quick temper (and we nurses certainly know about others like that!). I'd sure be nervous, as MM said, "with his finger near the red button".
Since we really can't discuss our political viewpoimts with patients, and have to be cautious regarding heated conversations with coworkers, we can simply encourage those near us to become better informed, and VOTE!!
Put articles you think are meaningful on the bulletin boards in nurses' and physicians' lounges, cafeterias, places of worship, etc. And if at all possible, offer a ride to someone who otherwise wouldn't get to their voting places.
Realize too that those with the most to lose by Obama's winning the election, are the very rich. They're the ones who would pay the taxes which have been witheld so far (like 6.5% for social security on their earnings above $102,000.)
Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.
unfortunately, nurses are just as polarized as the rest of the country.
true.
but we do agree on wanting to improve health and alleviate suffering.
we as nurses have the right to explain how we think this can accomplished.
i think we also have a social responsibility.
nurses have a proud history of political action for social justice.
even before women could vote nurses created the visiting nurses, educated legislators and the public to pass the sheppard-towner act that reduced infant mortality, worked to stop child labor, stop inhumane treatment of the mentally ill, founded public health nursing, founded the frontier nursing service, founded the american red cross, nurses led the struggle for women's suffrage, and health care reform.
photo of lavinia dock rn & lillian wald rn demonstrating against unsafe and unsanitary conditions at the shirt waist factory in new york that employed girls as young a 13. locked them in without a bathroom or drinking water. after the strike a fire killed many of the women and girls because they had no means of escape. managment got out alive.
more recently nurses across the country are working for safe staffing in hospitals by acuity with ratios as the minimum.
for whistleblower protection.
for the legal right to advocate for their patients.
we have disagreements about the best way to do this. the candidates who can help us become a healthier nation. but i believe we have the same goals.
so we need to use our first ammendment rights to communicate with each other and our fellow citizens.
There is a nurse at work who has decided to " Palinize" herself. She is wearing her hair in the same fashion. She has also Bought glasses that very closely imitate Palins glasses. And is even styling her makeup in the same fashion. Must admit though, it is very becoming on her.
Toyota's Rav was available in the USA a few years ago. It' s run entirely by electricity, and it costs $1.83 (in California) to recharge. The owner of one who I met, said it costs nothing to recharge his vehicle, as his home has solar power. He can drive the speed limit (70mph where allowed) on all highways, with good acceleration, and it handles very well.
He believes that Japan was pressured by the oil companies here, to withdraw all new cars in the USA, and therefore the only way to get a used one is online........
Can you imagine how much lower the mortality rate from auto accidents would be, if many people could only go at the rate of speed advised?
The oil cartel is desperate to drain all the crude oil there, by getting approval for off shore drilling stations. That is only a temporary expensive fix, but it will keep folks that have business interests in oil, like plasticmanufacturers too, rolling in there dough for their lifetimes, and leave future generations unfueled and poor.
Obama's platform involves taxing the rich more, not the middle class!
They're howling, and McCain/palin is trying to protect their interests, not those of salaried individuals. In their ads, they admit that average folks like us will be "hurt" by higher taxes. Obama says that those who earn more than $250,000/year will be the ones who are taxed more!
the oil cartel is desperate to drain all the crude oil there, by getting approval for off shore drilling stations. that is only a temporary expensive fix, but it will keep folks that have business interests in oil, like plasticmanufacturers too, rolling in there dough for their lifetimes, and leave future generations unfueled and poor.
why can't the majority of america see beyond the short term? we are an addicted society...addicted to petroleum! if we don't utilize all the wonderful options to power our vehicles, homes, factories, etc., our children and grandchildren will be in a mess that we will have left for them. we have no excuses and mccain/palin don't have the answers we need.
we have no excuses and mccain/palin don't have the answers we need.
exactly! i wish people could look at both sides with fair judgment and an open mind. i was raised a very conservative republican and my father served eight years in a republican office in the conservative state of colorado. they are voting for obama and biden. they have looked at both candidates fairly and recognize that obama offers solutions that are new and not the same old, same old of the last eight years that has gotten us into the mess(es) we're in.
Exactly! I wish people could look at both sides with fair judgment and an open mind. I was raised a very conservative republican and my father served eight years in a republican office in the conservative state of Colorado. They are voting for Obama and Biden. They have looked at both candidates fairly and recognize that Obama offers solutions that are new and not the same old, same old of the last eight years that has gotten us into the mess(es) we're in.
You're so right. Those who vote Republican do so because they want to hang on to their own inflated incomes/savings, and don't care about others. Taxes will be increased only for those earning over $250,000 yearly when Obama wins the Presidential election, and he said that he wants physical and mental diseases to receive equal funds for treatment! Of course the so called "health" insurance companies are going balistic, as their higher up execs won't be earning millions tearly.
Whoever tied health insurance to employment had a bad idea, as that curtails employment for those who are older and may have a treatable condition. I worked for Blue Cross this year, and in my 3rd week at work, I was asked 6 times, in 5 different ways, how old I was! When they finally realized that I'm almost 70, I was told "it isn't a good fit". They charge companies thouisands more monthly for employees who are over 55.
i worked for blue cross this year, and in my 3rd week at work, i was asked 6 times, in 5 different ways, how old i was! when they finally realized that i'm almost 70, i was told "it isn't a good fit". they charge companies thouisands more monthly for employees who are over 55.
i hope you went after them for age discrimination!!!
I worked for Blue Cross this year, and in my 3rd week at work, I was asked 6 times, in 5 different ways, how old I was! When they finally realized that I'm almost 70, I was told "it isn't a good fit". They charge companies thousands more monthly for employees who are over 55.
That is crazy!! I cannot believe that. Did you go after them??
BBFRN, BSN, PhD
3,779 Posts
Just a friendly reminder to please avoid straying from the topic of the thread, which is specifically regarding Nurses & the Election. Please note that there are many other active general election threads in the politics forum. Thanks! :)