union vs non union

[meb]

I am an RN BSN working as a staff nurse in a non-union hospital. I am currently looking to change hospital as well as area of specialty. I am confused with the union deal...you see I don't like that I was turned down at the facility where I work for a position I was well qualified for because the nurse manager hired "New Graduates" for the internally posted positions! On that same note since I am not union I can never be mandated for OT (in NY madation is illegal UNLESS you are union then mandation is litigated by your contract). Since I am looking to start a family soonbeing in a position where I could be mandated at a whim is not a good idea. I know friends who are in the union and they are mandated at least two 8 hr shifts per month! If I had a child in daycare what would I do? Those involved with your stat professional unions please rsvp with any helpful information thank you

[Snickett]

Ain't no way I would sell my rights to speak for myself to a union.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

Ain't no way I would sell my rights to speak for myself to a union.

Will you explain what this means?

I don't want to assume.

[Latenightnurse]

Ain't no way I would sell my rights to speak for myself to a union.

My nursing career began in 1982. I have seen so much corruption in hospitals here in the Gulf South that it's pathetic. I have worked for two mega hospital corporations and thought they were the ultimate evil, but after working for a Louisiana parish-owned hospital I discovered that the lack of representation for nurses is the biggest evil. In right-to work states, nurses don't have a voice against unfair practices by employers. The only recourse we have when we tire of writing letters, dropping suggestions in the suggestion box, and filling out so-called "Employee Satisfaction Surveys" without seeing one IOTA of change is to find another job.

Have you ever tried to fight against unfair policies or demands?

Does the hospital you work for come up with a new job description almost yearly adding more and more requirements of YOU?

Sometimes a voice is needed to bring sanity to the big management types who have NO EARTHLY IDEA what a nurse actually does!

I only hope I can live to see the day that nursing unions are finally organized here in good ol South Louisiana! I want someone to MAKE my voice be heard!