Published
I emailed Dr. Phil regarding having a show that specifically addresses the so-called nursing shortage and the issues that create it........among other things.
The reply I received was that I would be contacted if my request to have this show is approved as a topic for his show. The response goes on to say how many requests they receive a day, blah, blah, blah, so basically......don't hold my breath.
Next on my list are the congressmen and those in the White House. I also plan to write "this nurse's story" and seek to get it in print in a magazine that is well read by the public, etc.
One step, two steps, three steps, more....one day at a time.
Originally posted by AgnusThe most effective thing you can do is to call your legislators and talk to them personally. Even better arrange to meet face to face. AND AN INDIVIDUALLY WRITTEN LETTER THAT IS YOUR STORY AND VIEWS NOT PARROTING SOMEONE ELSE is the most effective thing you can do. Even after talking with them you should always follow up with a letter restating your concerns.
Excellent point. You might want to send a letter to the chairman of the relevant oversight committee as well. If they decide to hold hearings on the issue, that tends to generate more press coverage.
Originally posted by fergus51Read the thread about Dean's thoughts on the nursing shortage! It sums up what I would like to see changed in nursing.
If Dean really feels that way, then thumbs up to him for finally seeing the light where nurse abuse is concerned. I wonder why he didn't come forth in our defense as nurses before he decided to run for president?
I don't know what he did or didn't do for nurses prior to becoming involved in politics, but I would think it's unreasonable to expect much. I mean think about it, how much have you done for cops, teachers, doctors, firefighters, fruit pickers, etc? People generally tend to focus on their own profession first. His record on health care in Vermont is pretty impressive (especially if you want to compare it to Texas;)). At the very least, that statement eloquently sums up many of the changes I want to see.
Originally posted by fergus51I don't know what he did or didn't do for nurses prior to becoming involved in politics, but I would think it's unreasonable to expect much. I mean think about it, how much have you done for cops, teachers, doctors, firefighters, fruit pickers, etc? People generally tend to focus on their own profession first. His record on health care in Vermont is pretty impressive (especially if you want to compare it to Texas;)). At the very least, that statement eloquently sums up many of the changes I want to see.
That may be true in your world, but in the world my parents raised me in, and the one I raised my children in, and the world my children are raising their children in........we think outside the box and help others regardless of what we can or cannot get out of it. I've done much for many different walks of life during my 52 year reign as a human being on earth, but I don't often let my right hand know what my left hand has done or is doing for others. :)
As for Dean: Every adult voter asks questions as I did. Where were the politicians before they needed our vote? What were they doing for the people they want to vote for them? I'm not in the public eye, but Dean is and I hope his past track record will speak volumes about where his heart has been lying all these years previous to his desire to be the next prez of the USA. :)
Well when you look at Bushies track record here in Texas, Makes you wonder how he was even allowed to run for president.
Frightening really. What he and his flunkies have done here in Texas should be enough to impeach him alone.
Channel 5 news, a republican and conservative news channel here in DFW, released in a survey that Texas, one of the absolute richest states in the country. Ranked number 2 in the nation for being the neediest in the number of hungry children and families in the nation. Most oh which can be attributed to Bushs time as Governor.
I have to admit, I was very impressed w/ the posting about Dean's thoughts/ideas on nursing AND the fact that he actually asked a nurse for input. This is a refreshing attitude for someone who is a physician. They often, mistakenly, think they know what would be good for nurses. Remember the PCA debate in the late 1980's or early 1990's when AMA recomended "training" a bunch of UAP's to do nurses' jobs to relieve the shortage. Just goes to prove many doc's don't realize the scope of our practice, so I do say I am impressed w/ this guy's research into the subject. I need to take a second look at him, for sure.
Agnus
2,719 Posts
As the wife of an elected official and having worked closely with legislator and lobbiest I can tell you that this type of campaigning quickly is dismissed.
The most effective thing you can do is to call your legislators and talk to them personally. Even better arrange to meet face to face. AND AN INDIVIDUALLY WRITTEN LETTER THAT IS YOUR STORY AND VIEWS NOT PARROTING SOMEONE ELSE is the most effective thing you can do. Even after talking with them you should always follow up with a letter restating your concerns.
Whenever lobby efforts amount to mass mailing of the same or essentially same letter the effect of all that work is diluted a thousand fold.
Better to write a few heart felt letters that are in whole original than send out a 100,000 copies of the same letter.