Strike Nursing

[TravelingBSNRN, BSN, RN]

Does anybody tried strike nursing? You would be required to fill in vacant positions by the striking staff in a facility while a strike is ongoing. Your job ends when the strike has been settled and regular staff goes back to work.

[kentuckyphil]

Seems to me that crossing a picket line working as a scab would not be supporting the cause of the striking nurses.

[TravelingBSNRN, BSN, RN]

It won't obviously but the hospital operations has to go on for patient safety. Strike nurses will fill in whatever is needed. It sounds interesting but I was just wondering if any of the members here had an experience.

[bagladyrn, RN]

Seems to me that crossing a picket line working as a scab would not be supporting the cause of the striking nurses.

Hide my soapbox Phil! Don't let me get started on this one!

[kentuckyphil]

"it won't obviously but the hospital operations has to go on for patient safety. strike nurses will fill in whatever is needed. it sounds interesting but i was just wondering if any of the members here had an experience."

i have not personally but know many who have. it seems the pay is often not quite as good as they expect - i suppose due to a heavy tax hit (similar to the $1,000 completion bonus that many contracts include that ends up being $600 or so once it's paid). the hourly pay is no better than a decent travel contract in the same area - usually in the low $40s per hour in california - but no doubt working 12 hours a day seven days a week will rack up some serious overtime.

the larger issue for me is the ethical consideration - i know the hospitals being struck could easily transfer their patients if they didn't have a ready pool of nurses willing to cross the picket line. patient safety is a rationalization to reduce the guilt of crossing a picket line. if there are a few patients too ill to be transferred or receiving care only available at that facility (such as burn care or specialized cancer treatment) the union will allow members in those specialized units to work during the strike.

if you work a strike, just be honest with yourself and admit that you're doing it for the money (or perhaps the experience of working this intense, short duration job) instead of for the "patient safety" catch phrase.

[travelinjones]

What happens to the travel nurse's regular contract when their facility strikes mid contract? Is the traveler expected to work? If not, is the contract cancelled allowing the for traveler to find other work?...or is the traveler SOL until the strike is over unless they cross the line? Thanks for the advice. I'm about to sign a 13 weeker with a facility in a strike prone region.

[TravelingBSNRN, BSN, RN]

Patient safety should be every conscientious nurse concern wether you will go there for the money or just for the experience.

[elkpark]

Patient safety is usually one of the primary reasons why nurses are striking. I agree that arguing "patient safety" as justification for working as a strike-breaker is merely a convenient rationalization.

[kentuckyphil]

Patient safety should be every conscientious nurse concern wether you will go there for the money or just for the experience.

I agree with Elkpark. The single most effective way to improve patient safety is to improve staffing levels, which is coincidentally the strikers' most common demand. And the best way to support safer staffing levels is to honor the union's picket line. A ready pool of willing strike breakers only encourages the hospital administrators to ignor the issue.

Of course if nurses have already decided to work as scabs and they find themselves on the wrong side of the picket line, I agree that the safety of their patients should be their prime concern.

[suzanne4, RN]

What happens to the travel nurse's regular contract when their facility strikes mid contract? Is the traveler expected to work? If not, is the contract cancelled allowing the for traveler to find other work?...or is the traveler SOL until the strike is over unless they cross the line? Thanks for the advice. I'm about to sign a 13 weeker with a facility in a strike prone region.

Normally, you will be expected to work there during the strike since you are not a regular employee of the facility. And this is what usually happens. They may increase your pay slightly, but you will be expected to continue to work for the duration of your contract.

[bagladyrn, RN]

Normally, you will be expected to work there during the strike since you are not a regular employee of the facility. And this is what usually happens. They may increase your pay slightly, but you will be expected to continue to work for the duration of your contract.

This is something you should discuss with your agency before the subject arises. Knowing that I have strong convictions on this issue and will NOT cross a picket line (except as cited above by Phil with union arrangement for patients too unstable to move) I discussed this with my agency and told them that should action occur this would be my stance. They agreed that in such a case I would stay at the location for short term (if likely to be settled in a few days) or moved on to a new contract if long term action anticipated. I also chose to work for an agency which does not have a strike breaking division. I personally cannot see working for an agency which profits from undermining nurses and good patient care.

[travelinjones]

Thank you for the info. I spoke with my agency and found they remain neutral with strikes, and will back me if the facility strikes. They will keep me in town and cover my apartment if it's quick to settle, and find me a new assignment if it isn't.

I agree and would definately not wish to cross any picket lines where nurses are striking for patient safety.

So far, this is all hypothetical, but it is not unforseeable. Since I have never been in this situation, having you veteran travelers around is a blessing! Thank you!