Unions - Should I? Shouldn't I?

[wrigleyvillemsn]

Hello!

I am considering seeking employment at a large teaching hospital, but they unionize thier nurses. I'm not familiar with nurse unions and not sure if it is the right thing for me. I would love to hear from those who are currently in a union, and possibly from those who were in a union but now aren't, etc. I'm interested in pros, cons, benefits, warnings, etc. Thanks so much for your help!

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

I'm currently a nursing student, but at my previous job I was a unionized white-collar worker. My understanding is that any situation in which an employer can view its employees as interchangeable cogs is a workplace that should be unionized. However, as I am as familiar with nursing unions as you are, I'll let the unionized nurses talk about specific benefits of collective bargaining.

[caliotter3]

You might want to check out the forum for collective bargaining and such to read opinions, both pro and con, that have already been posted. Generally, if you choose to work at a union shop but not join the union, you are still assessed a fee. If that is the case, you might as well join the union and gain the full benefit of union membership. But just because you decide not to join the union, does not mean you will not benefit from the contract that the union has in place for the workers. They won't pay you less than the union member.

[Fannie'sMom, BSN, RN]

Unions in general have their pros and cons. The upside is that you have some protections with wages, benefits and job security. It's hard to fire you if you P*** off the wrong person. The down side is that your paying for that protecion and if you P*** off the union they might not back you to the extend they should. Long story short, it's all political-you are either serving one master or the other.