WILTW 12/10: Now THAT's a BONUS!!!

Published

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Hi everyone!

I have wonderful news.

My newly formed nurses' union, which was merely a thought over one year ago, has just ratified our first contract with a 90 percent vote.

Many people are excited and there are a percentage indifferent or unhappy-yet don't understand what's in the contract...I spent a lot of time and will continue to make sure people who don't understand or unhappy that they understand the contract, as well as have concerns to economic issues are supportive towards the. Ext contract negotiations.

For as long as it took to get the contract, my expectation will be a year from now, making a 18-month contract essentially a year contract.

There were many department-specific desires that a contract couldn't ensure EVERYTHING, especially in a first contract, but safety being a primary reason for the contract, that was the most important part, along with giving nurses a true seat at the table to ensure safe staffing, and to stop the economic depression that was occurring for a lot of nurses, especially those who worked at the hospital for 20-plus years.

There must be an attitude adjustment...working unsafe has been the norm so long and so alien to me that during the voting caucus my point raised that protecting he contract and our nurse practice act-advocating for our patients and ourselves that was a mantra that I learned in my PN and BSN studies and something I never let go-is something that we have to ensure, has floated me as a person to be nominated for grievance rep.

I don't believe it, but it will be surprising that I get it.

Also, the drain for experienced nurses continues...there are a series of experienced nurses retiring and replacing them is difficult, and it's not just at my hospital, but happening all over, it hurts the most at my hospital because of the ridiculous labor practices that occurred that made 20 percent of total nursing staff leave, but now has put the hospital at such a disadvantage that they offered triple bonuses, even starting since last week and continuing this week as I make my way to clock in today.

in addition to the ever learning process of being a unionized nurse, I relearned In times of triple bonus pay, I will regress into

work-holic mode. :uhoh3:

So, what have you learned this week?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I learned that I got my first ever C. I'm really bummed, but I'm trying to move past it, knowing that I really did do my best.

I also learned that fetal cholelithiasis is a thing, and saw an ultrasound of it (on Figure 1). Pretty cool.

I've also learned that I don't like things involving teeth or the mouth. Or the feet. I'll have to get right over that, won't I?

I have seven classes left (nine if I do the EMT-B cert, which I'm still considering, as I have the time to fit it in and it'll be paid for) until I'm officially in nursing school! I mean, assuming I get accepted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I'm getting so frustrated with my husband. He has a pinch sciatic nerve & I *know* it hurts but the constant screaming at the top of his lungs, the asking me to do things I can't (like dead lift his entire body weight, 400#) & just lack of trying has me burning out. If you don't want to try, why should I help you? How *can* I help you? Not to mention I'm 7 months pregnant & have a 2.5 year old to look after. Ugh.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm getting so frustrated with my husband. He has a pinch sciatic nerve & I *know* it hurts but the constant screaming at the top of his lungs, the asking me to do things I can't (like dead lift his entire body weight, 400#) & just lack of trying has me burning out. If you don't want to try, why should I help you? How *can* I help you? Not to mention I'm 7 months pregnant & have a 2.5 year old to look after. Ugh.

I'm sorry - it sounds like you're under a lot of strain. Do you have a family member that can come and help with him for a little while? Or is there enough of a need to get a home health nurse? (sorry, I'm not sure how that stuff works).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I'm sorry - it sounds like you're under a lot of strain. Do you have a family member that can come and help with him for a little while? Or is there enough of a need to get a home health nurse? (sorry, I'm not sure how that stuff works).

He's thinking about calling his mother. He obviously doesn't want my mom to help. So she only helps a little bit.

It's just really bad today because I'm *so* nauseated, I hate throwing up & I don't want to. He wanted me to help wipe him but I had to say no because even just the smell made me gag. I know we wouldn't qualify for a HH nurse to come so I either have to suck it up or call his mom to see if she'll come.

I'm in such a bad mood today. Then he went to the bathroom & pissed on the floor. Ugh. And to make things worse I can't eat or drink after midnight because I failed my first glucose test & I have to wake up bright & effing early to go to my OBGYN's to do the three hour test. I don't live in the same city as my OBGYN so I have to wake up at 6:30a & leave by 7a to get there by 8:15a. Ugh.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations on being a unionized nurse!:yes: I wish I was part of the group.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical care.

It's officially cold and flu season :nailbiting:. I had a patient test positive this week- first on my unit which has a respiratory focus, so we see a lot of the patients admitted with respiratory viruses. I'm really hoping the flu shot works this year as I spent a good bit of time with the patient before we knew they had the flu.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

What happened to the 'Pettiness' thread? It was there & then I came back & it was gone. Boo!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

I have learned that commenting on a thread means you're emotionally involved. Who knew??? I just don't understand the thinking of some people. It boggles the mind.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

(((OrganizedChaos)))

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
(((OrganizedChaos)))

Aww thank you. :inlove:

I know I post a lot of negative stuff but things are going well for me. My husband is getting better & more motivated to help himself. We got the paper work for HR & we will be getting a check next month because he has enough time saved up. My mom has really spoiled my son this Christmas so I am excited for him. I was nervous about Christmas because we weren't gonna have much money but my mom stepped up *big* time. It makes my heart happy.

I know we get the occasional troll every once & awhile. But even the people who comment more often I wonder about. I'm not talking about daily users, just people who haven't started an account within the last day or so. If they *are* a nurse, how can their thinking be so flawed?

I know I'm part of the millennial generation but I do not believe everyone deserves a trophy & should only receive positive "rah-rah" comments. It's life, life isn't perfect. Not everyone wins. And what is with calling people bullies/saying comments are rude? Am I missing something? Since when is honesty considered bullying & rude? I feel like I missed the boat on that one. Haha.

I would *really* like to know...why do I attract all the crazies?! LOL! Can they sense something? Smell it? Hear it? I swear it happens constantly, or at least more times than I would like. So bizarre!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I reinforced my knowledge that I am not the best person to train the new nurse on the floor considering I've only been a working nurse for 3 months and I tend to get some degree of paperwork OCD which makes me start doing things (like putting in all the orders) myself instead of showing her how to do it. I was never this bad before I got my license but now it is even harder for me to start a task but then watch someone else finish it. I like to complete it myself to ensure that it actually gets done so I don't get talked to for things getting messed up or still being incomplete. Especially now that they are calling us into work on our days off to finish paperwork if it is wrong or not finished.

Furthermore, I also learned that persistence may pay off. I've mentioned to our Admissions Director that the new Admits need to be spread out between day and night shift better since the patients never show up when the hospital says they will. We had 3 admits tonight which were supposed to be for 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm but instead came in at 545pm, 630pm, and 7pm. Night shift throws a hissy fit if days gets an admit at 545 pm and can only manage the skin assessment before shift change. They typically fail to do any of the work on the admit that night (besides the medications) and we have to do everything the next morning. However, now the Administrators are working on getting the okay to have an Admit/Discharge nurse so the floor nurses won't have compromise patient safety to process admission paperwork and this stupid fighting between day/night shift can stop already.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion