Nurses outraged by plan to strip health professionals of overtime pay

Mkue · Jul 1, 2003

Forget the outrage, since it isn't effective...Instead, what can we do to soften the blow of this impending change and turn it to our advantage? Some of the big league players need to get into debate and discussions over this to demand terms and so on...

I agree Zorya.

crazedredhead · Jul 1, 2003

The longer that I am in nursing, the more amazed I become. The abuse of professionals is so widespread, and this is just one more insult to a very short staffed profession. (Wonder why???)

Until Sunday's paper, I was still getting over Hilliary Clinton's insult to the profession when her dad was in ICU. "Any trained high school graduate could do what those nurses did."

I am currently on a sabbatical. It may be permanent.:imbar :imbar

roxannekkb · Jul 1, 2003

Until Sunday's paper, I was still getting over Hilliary Clinton's insult to the profession when her dad was in ICU. "Any trained high school graduate could do what those nurses did."

When did she say that??? Did she mean that nurses should just get on the job training or something? :confused:

susanhrn · Jul 1, 2003

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Emancipation Proclamation set slaves free ?? Why then, because we strive to be professional, should we now be "mandated" to work 50 - 60 hours a week but only get paid a straight 40 hour salary ??

The flip side might be that if we are only paid for 40 hours then we can't be forced to work any more than 40 hours, but I'm quite positive that the one sided congress and senate will be sure there are provisions for that as well.

I think this should be a wake-up call for nursing to do as the physicians do which is to contract services. If we become contractual employees, the pay and benefits are much better (as are the working hours). You can stipulate up front what your hourly rate will be and what conditions you require in order to safely perform your duties (much as anesthesists and midwifery do). :eek: :cool:

susanhrn · Jul 1, 2003

This would be an incredibly opportune time for every nurse in the United States to put in their 30 - 60 day notice. I do believe that such an action would send a very loud and crystal clear message to "Corporate" healthcare and "Corporate" senate/congress that we "The People" have had enough !!:roll

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jul 1, 2003

quote:

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Forget the outrage, since it isn't effective...Instead, what can we do to soften the blow of this impending change and turn it to our advantage? Some of the big league players need to get into debate and discussions over this to demand terms and so on...

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Originally posted by mkue
I agree Zorya.

Unfortunately, ppl often must first FEEL the outrage in order to be MOVED to do something about current issues.... nothing wrong with being outraged, as long as we FOLLOW UP with action !

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Jul 1, 2003

Originally posted by oramar
I wrote this to my representative, "I know the rich will always steal from the poor and the strong will always prey on the weak, my complaint is that you politicians drive the getaway car and hold my front door open for them".

:rotfl: Way to go, Oramar! I couldn't have said it better, myself!

karbyr · Jul 2, 2003

thanks geekgolightly

RN Zeke · Jul 2, 2003

Pick a Union to represent the medical workers of the USA- is what we are being forced to do.

ozzierock · Jul 2, 2003

you guys have been getting overtime!!! we in australia have been doing unpaid overtime for years. if we work over and ask our supervisor for overtime we get asked to explian what is wrong with our time management! the only time you ever get anything is if there is a stuff up in the staffing for the upcoming shift ie someone doesn't turn up, someone is going to be late ( a little bit late doesn't count) or if you are asked to do a double because they couldn't fill a spot with an agency nurse. I have worked for hours and hours of unpaid time since becoming a nurse. it's endemic here and so hard to do anything about no one tries anymore

rachaelm4 · Jul 2, 2003

I JUST READ THE PROPOSAL AT THE DEPT OF LABOR AND IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THEY ARE CUTTING OVERTIME FOR NURSES, READ IT FOR YOURSELVES..

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/esa/ESA2003146.htm http://www.dol.gov/_sec/media/speeches/541Handout.htm http://www.dol.gov/_sec/media/speeches/541_Side_By_Side.htm

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2003

NEVER VOTE REPUBLICAN. IF YOU DO YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE.