mene19

You're absolutely right. I apologize 100%. My experience with New York unions was not good, and my experience in Philadelphia was life-changing. You are 100% right about about my needing to "dial it back". My reaction is extreme, and it does no good at all to anyone. I am doing exactly what I condemn.

You've never seen That kind of behavior by unions? Where do you live? I have had more than my fill of American unions..They're more like gangs. Why would your hospital "take away" PPE? Where did your union get PPE when the whole world was short? I don't live in Philadelphia anymore, but their unions were the worst. During the 1990's, 1199 (the health care workers union) prevented mothers from seeing their babies in the NICU, blocked families from seeing their loved ones, physically assaulted physicians, and damaged lab equipment. The police refused to assist because "they stood with 1199" because the police have a union too. The ANA did NOTHING and said nothing: looked the other way. I've seen labor unions block streets and block traffic; apparently peaceful assembly means acting like thugs and impinging on the rights of other people. All these things have soured me on Unions.Fast forward to now. My union rep was a fabulous nurse and we respected each other, but I would not compromise patient care while waiting for someone else. I objected to the lazy, unethical, incompetent nurses whose jobs were protected because of their seniority. She was union to the letter; too bad sometimes the patients and the reputation of the nursing staff at the hospital suffered. Believe it or not, I am a kind, compassionate, gentle person, but not about this. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, and now have my eyes wide open.

I see unions bullying their members, telling them who to vote for, blocking streets and side walks, and physically assaulting Doctors and other staff who crossed their lines. After Hurricane Sandy, my union rep chided me for pushing a patient between units--it "set precedence". Sorry, Union folk. My priority is the patient and I will keep my own counsel in a crisis situation about whether waiting for a transporter or getting the patient to the ICU myself is the wisest action. What would a national union do for a worldwide shortage of PPE? Do unions have magic wands that make PPE?

I mean if a NP or pharmacist walks in, with ID that says Dr., and says "I'm DR. so-and-so without clarifying what their position is, patients assume the said person is MD/DO. It's confusing enough in the hospital; I've had patients think the respiratory therapist was the Dr., lol.

Haha, I prefer feisty, and only sometimes. Our patients don't know who anyone is. This isn't about ego; it is about clarity for patients and families. Specific verbal identification is probably more important than badges. "I am Dr. --- your Nurse Practitioner" would work. Wow, good idea.

This isn't about ego; it is about clarity for patients and families. I am Dr.---your Physician. I am Dr.---your Nurse Practitioner. I am Dr.---your Pharmacist. I am Dr.---I am an English professor who is visiting the patient next door.

I think it would make things more clear if they introduced themselves as, "I am Dr._____, your pharmacist, or DR----your Nurse Practitioner or Dr.----Your physician. This isn't about ego; it is about clarity for patients and families.

Eperience is the key. And we need to be kind, supportive mentors to our younglings.

People, some excellent NP's treat me, some excellent Dr.'s treat me. I would think that an NP would want to stand up and shout from the rooftops that that is their profession, because the training they receive as nurses often brings a different, wider skill set. Nurses need to embrace our skills--especially our outstanding assessment skills--and say "I'm not a physician, I am a Nurse Practitioner, with all my fantastic skills, which in some places overlap with physicians and always something extra."

Sorry for the salty. My issue is NOT the title; it ist how the title is used disingenuously by an NP, who refuses identify himself as such when patients make it clear that they think this person is a physician. It is unethical.

The words may be the same, but the training isn't. What about A Dr. of Law? Is that the same thing? The training for NP is not even the same sport as medical school. NP doctoral program sample, last year of education: NUR (0302) 679 - Curriculm Dev, Implementation and Evaluation Credits: 3.00NUR (0302) 789 - Educational Theories and Application to Learning Credits: 3.00NUR (0302) 804 - Instructional Design in Nursing Education Credits: 3.00NUR (0302) 792 - Assessment and Measurement in Teaching Credits: 3.00NUR (0302) 793 - Seminar and Practicum in Nursing Education Credits: 2.00NUR (0302) 814 - Nursing Education and Diverse Learners Credits: 3.00NUR (0302) 815 - Research in Nursing Education Credits: 3.00NUR (0302) 816 - Technology in Nursing Education Credits: 3.00NUR (0302) 817 - Precepted Experience in Nursing Education The last YEARS in Physician training come after the book learning, and it is clinical, and it is brutal. If its all the same, have that NP or J.D. take out your appendix. Let me know how that works out for you. I will stick with the D.O./M.D.

What I object to is this: An NP/PHD works in our ER. His Badge gives his name as Dr. "John Doe". He introduces himself as "Dr. John Doe". The patients think he is a Physician and he does nothing to dispel that falsehood. If he wanted to be known as a physician, he should have gone to medical school,, not NP school. It's not the same game and Its not even the same sport. I'm not saying he is not highly educated; I'm saying he is not educated as an M.D. or D.O.. He is educated as a Nurse Practitioner and he should claim it proudly or go to medical school.

At my former job, my union rep and I did not see eye to eye on many things. We had intelligent discussions and grew to respect each other immensely, even when we clashed in frustration. Examples of why I don't like unions for nurses: 1. Unions defend rules against pragmatics. Immediately after hurricane Sandy, I was assigned to help open an additional telemetry unit for the influx of patients needing monitoring. The hospital space and staff were stretched to the max. While transporting a patient from the ER to the new unit, the union rep tried to stop me; apparently it was not in my job description to push a bed. "It sets a precedent," she said. "It's about the patient, and It's an emergency situation." I replied, and continued until all 8 patients were transferred. 2. They protect dangerous workers, no matter how they deny/justify. Long term nurses who could no longer safely function in their position kept their places because of the union, even when these nurses were incompetent, physically unable to perform the work, or both. If a nurse has difficulty getting up from a chair, they don't belong in the ICU. 3. Unions have devolved into gangs: mandating who members vote for, bullying, intimidating. In the early 90's, 1199 went on strike in Philadelphia. At the Hospital of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (no longer open), union workers physically assaulted Dr.'s, vandalized lab equipment, and prevented loved ones from seeing their families. Unions forget they have a right to PEACEFULLY assemble. This does not mean blocking streets, denying others access to public places, and committing crimes. I'll never forget what I saw in Philadelphia and will never support a union again.

I didn't say s/he was a troll, I said s/he acted like one. As for inflammatory, I will quote another member regarding this:" The trick is not to let those nit pickers get to you or to drive the conversation.Let them perseverate." I'll follow that advice.

Lively debate I agree with. I insulted no one. I stated my opinion.