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
Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.
Thank you. I will keep everyone updated. My OB was so sure it is kidney issues but I beg to differ. I couldn't persuade him to get an ultrasound on my gallbladder. Maybe if my renal ultrasound comes back clear he will look into my gallbladder.
I had gall stones when pregnant with my son. It was not pleasant. Hope they figure something out. If it turns out you do have gall stones, don't do what I did. I waited 4 years, then got pancreatitis. I got my gall bladder out then. Been okay that way since! I hope you fell better soon and best of luck to you.
Thank you. I will keep everyone updated. My OB was so sure it is kidney issues but I beg to differ. I couldn't persuade him to get an ultrasound on my gallbladder. Maybe if my renal ultrasound comes back clear he will look into my gallbladder.
I had my gallbladder removed two days after my first was born - it wasn't too bad. Much better than the attacks :)
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I had gall stones when pregnant with my son. It was not pleasant. Hope they figure something out. If it turns out you do have gall stones, don't do what I did. I waited 4 years, then got pancreatitis. I got my gall bladder out then. Been okay that way since! I hope you fell better soon and best of luck to you.
I'm so sorry but I am glad you are better now. I went to the hospital hoping they would do an ultrasound & if it was bad enough, remove it. But they didn't even do an ultrasound. Which I thought was weird since I described the pain to them. I just got shipped up to L&D & was given a band aid treatment for it.
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I had my gallbladder removed two days after my first was born - it wasn't too bad. Much better than the attacks :)
I want it removed as soon as possible. It sucks so bad. I'm just nervous about getting the renal ultrasound because if something pops up on that my OB wont dig any further. The more it happens the more I'm convinced it's my gallbladder & not my kidneys.
CelticGoddess, BSN, RN
896 Posts
I had gall stones when pregnant with my son. It was not pleasant. Hope they figure something out. If it turns out you do have gall stones, don't do what I did. I waited 4 years, then got pancreatitis. I got my gall bladder out then. Been okay that way since! I hope you fell better soon and best of luck to you.