To be Union or Not to be, that is the question?

[mandyc]

ok, so here is the big question on my mind. please feel free to correct me if i am wrong. i have heard that union nursing is a possibility for some, or should i say one in particular colorado hospital (i don't know any currently that have a nurses union). i have heard only rumors, no facts, so this is just purely speculation. my concern are ...why do we need a nurses union, what could possibly be the advantage? i have seen and heard several sides to the impending question. my opinion, and it is just that, is based on some experience with a union based job, completely unrelated to the nursing world. the union has you pay dues, rightly so to "supposedly" protect your job, though i am not sure exactly what it needs to be protected from. there are many employers out there that are less then desirable, so, in this situation i can understand. however, the union bases their belief system on "seniority". meaning, the more years, the more protection, correct? is the union then essentially protecting the rights of those more seasoned within their conglomerate, or do they represent the less seasoned nurses just the same and with equal enthusiasm? another question, if you work hard, do what you are suppose to and contribute to your work environment, team, hospital and patients with the utmost brilliance, compassion and unflawed character, will the nurse that has been in the company longer, who might not work as hard or as effective get more representation solely based on the years that they have been employed? will they become eligible for advancement opportunities when those that are "more qualified" but have less years in the union will not? i question bringing in any union that will represent a person that contributes less to any career situation just because they have been there longer. a union could possibly represent your rights or safety of those employed? how is that any different from what we can do ourselves with in any work environment? shouldn't your job be safe based on performance rather than "seniority"? shouldn't your hourly wage be based on the effectiveness and contribution that you give to your employer as well as the education that you pursue to better yourself and your patients? what is the union really for? if you work for a truly admirable facility, wouldn't they represent their employees with dignity and listen to concerns regarding safe patient nurse ratios already? without having to go on strike or threaten with a nurses union? if the nursing world and the hospitals or facilities that employ us are that bad to work for, then why even go into nursing? personally, and maybe i see the world through rose colored glasses, i would hope the facility/hospital that i have chosen to work for has the same beliefs, values and mission that i do in life.....to give compassionate, ethical and effective care to those that need it....our patients!

[mandyc]

What would your reaction be if the union respresentative came to your work/hospital? Would you graciously accept to meet them and talk or would you turn them away? Me personally, I would politely refuse and would walk in the other direction!

[singingtothewheat]

As a nurse who works at that hospital, I can tell you that our primary concern and the reason we reached out for help, has been and will be PATIENT SAFETY!

[mandyc]

patient safety is extremely important. it is too bad these days that the upper management or board of directors of some facilities will not listen to the nurses caring for the patient. you are advocating for the patient! if this is what needs to be done at "that" hospital to ensure your patients' safety, then it is a means to an end...... i was actually just trying to get a response from someone in that particular situation, which is why i refrained from naming a particular facility. i do truly hope that things work out for everyone employed at the hospital and that patient safety is attained through your hopeful nurses union. i am sure you will meet with some resistance, as we all do when met with changes...it is human nature after all. good luck to you in your endeavor! what would some of the benefits be for having a union? i am curious as to your perspective, since you are going through this first hand. what challenges to you foresee?