should nurses be unionized, if so who should represent them?

SmilingBluEyes · May 27, 2003

Read the archives. There is a LOT there discussing(rather heatedly), the "pros" and "cons" of unionization. Yes , it's another controversial subject, Clint. You will find STRONG opinons on both sides. A search in the thread archives should yield some interesting reading for you ---good luck and welcome to the boards.

erin_grant_23 · Jun 9, 2003

I am believe very strongly in unions. My husband is a union Ironworker, his union has taken very good care of us. He has a good salery, an even better insurance policy, (ie i had over $20,000 in med bills last year and we paid $400 out of pocket.) He has had steady work because of the union. For us its a win win situation. Now to health care. YES!!!!!!!!!!! there should be a union for all Nurses (RN, LPN, CMA, CNA ect.) One standard c different sections for each division. With union power, you can have much change for the better, There would be one loud voice and not many weak ones. So i am a proud supporter of all unions.

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · Jun 16, 2003

Anyone with rotten administration will benefit from a union.

Representitives should be those voted in by their peers.

ainz · Jul 3, 2003

In my opinion, one of the characteristics of a profession (and the professional people that make up the profession) is the ability to come together and identify common issues that are important to the profession as a whole, to unify and take meaningful action to ensure the survival and advancement of the profession. This does not usually involve a union. Unions are for (forgive me if I offend anyone) skilled workers that are usually paid by the hour and are not able to rally themselves together, exert their influence, and bring about change. The question we should ask ourselves is not if we should become unionized, but rather, are we really a profession. If we are a profession, then let us behave as such. As professionals, we do not need the union mentality going to work for us. We can organize ourselves through forming and supporting our own professional organization that can engage in meaningful and productive activities that will advance our profession. Usually in the form of legislative activity. So, are we mere skilled hourly employees that are in need of someone to protect us from the mean administration, or are we professionals, well educated, and can organize ourselves and advance our own profession? Nurses have the power, just don't realize it, that is sad. Another problem is that old concept of "nurses eat their young." I still find that prevelant, also very sad and self-defeating for our profession?, quasi-profession?, trade?, occupation?????? If we are going to rely on the ANA to lead us into more autonomy, self-direction, and elevate our status in the healthcare community, we are in trouble. We need some people to formulate ANA policy and strategy that understand the realities of the business and finance world and get their heads out of the idealistic sand and can get in their and go head-to-head with the Washington crowd and talk like they have a clue to the Wall Street gang.

live4today, RN · Jul 4, 2003

Originally posted by clint
Should nurses be unionized? If so, who should represent them?

Uhhhh...I say "YES!" to your question, and I should represent them. :nurse:

nowplayingEDRN · Jul 19, 2003

I am not going here again.....been here once.....will not go again. And Clint, I would thionk that you got your answer from a previous thread that you were involved with on unionization of RNs...I believe that it dealt with strikes, too. I would sugest that you refer back to that thread.

I therefore agree whole heartedly with Smiling....welcome and good luck.

tavalon · Jun 29, 2004

In my opinion, one of the characteristics of a profession (and the professional people that make up the profession) is the ability to come together and identify common issues that are important to the profession as a whole, to unify and take meaningful action to ensure the survival and advancement of the profession. This does not usually involve a union. Unions are for (forgive me if I offend anyone) skilled workers that are usually paid by the hour and are not able to rally themselves together, exert their influence, and bring about change. The question we should ask ourselves is not if we should become unionized, but rather, are we really a profession.

And there you go. We pretend we are a profession. We pretend we are white collar professionals. Physicians are professionals. We are not. I think we should be able to take on that mantle but we consistently shoot ourselves in our collective foot. We need unions because we are so far oppressed that we can't stand together. One day maybe we'll get our collective act together but in the meantime. Lets unionize and stop pretending that we are what we so obviously are not.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jun 29, 2004

Anyone ever hear of the Screen Actors Guild??

Unions are not just for Joe Shmoe at the factory. People who make a lot more money than us are unionized. At 2.7 million strong, I think our voice could be heard. Docs may not be unionized, but they have a lot of lobby power in the American Medical Association. If ANA had as strong a presence and was as active for its members, perhaps nurses would be heard (if we could ever agree on anything, that is).

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2004

This isn't an emotion filled topic for me but I have seen both sides of nursing. I worked for 15 years in non-unionized nursing settings. It seemed like everyone I knew got "special deals", rules were only for those without connections and it just so happened that the close friends of the manager never worked Christmas or other holidays.

5 years ago I took a job as a government RN consultant and it is union shop. I've gotten regular raises and market adjustments, more vacation time than I've ever had before and work rules that are applied fairly. When an off-the- beam higher up tried to make me her personal serf, the union swept in with a "take no prisoners" attitude. I am treated with respect.

Maybe that means we're not a profession. Maybe I shouldn't have to pay 600$ a year for respect. But I can tell you I'd never work another non-union RN job.

jaimealmostRN · Jun 29, 2004

I am very Pro-union and I haven't even finished school yet. After reading all that s*** about Group One in Texas I am even more in favor of unionization of all RNs. I recently posted about one ER (the hospital I am an extern in) that has 8+:1 ratios. Two blocks away there is a unionized hospital where ratios are 4-5:1. Many hospitals are great without unions (esp. in NJ), but when it comes down to it, I don't feel comfortable with 8 or more patients at one time. I am also very impressed with the CNA. I feel that if I leave NJ, it will be for CA.... I need to know that someone has my back if I am ever unfairly reported to the BON or unfairly fired. And last time I checked all bedside nurses were paid by the hour and we are skilled labor AND a profession. Hey, were Professional skilled workers.