Nurses March for Better Patient Care

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

[color=#333333][color=#333333]february 23, 2010

[color=#333333]the cold and rainy conditions today did not stop a group of nurses from all around texas to stage a protest rally this afternoon against the christius spohn hospitals. they're accusing the hospitals of allowing unsafe labor practices.

[color=#333333]the nurses, who are backed by a statewide group, tried to deliver postcards today saying patient safety is at stake.

[color=#333333]about 40 nurses marched from kohl park to christius spohn administration offices a few blocks away. they want the hospital system to stop retaliating against them for speaking out.

[color=#333333]nurses are upset after two locals were suspended for talking about patient care due to the shortage of nurses.

[color=#333333]so 400 residents, including first responders, signed a postcard advocating for better care for patients....

http://www.kiiitv.com/news/local/85121122.html

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Fact-checkers should have done a better job before airing this segment or writing this article. The "postcards" are actually union cards they are trying to present to the organization as a first step in NNOC's quest to organize RNs in Corpus. The only group they are trying to organize is RNs.. doesn't matter what other 'residents' or 'first responders' are participating - that's just to generate public support. The NNOC effort has been going on for a number of years but it has only recently become overt. We (Texas) are a major target because unions have never been able to get a foothold in our state. We represent a very large target -despite the fact that we are a right-to-work state.

There is no nursing shortage in the Corpus area - multiple nursing schools supplying a fairly small area. although this is a really nice city that is a retirement/vacation destination for a lot of people, there is a significant indigent population; not an uncommon situation throughout South Texas. I am sure that this probably has an impact on hospital revenues and their ability to fund additional positions.

[PICUPNP]

This is nothing more than the cna feeble attempt at organizing Texas RNs. I applaud the workers standing up for what they know is right with regard to the unsafe conditions at the hospital, but a union is the last thing that those nurses need! They only seem to be involved when they stand to benefit monetarily or from the media exposure.

[twentytenRN]

Hmm... I guess I am glad I didn't get that job @ C-S afterall...