Explain how Unions Work in Nursing

[Anonymous]

And weren't the California staffing laws promoted by a union???????


WR,,, three commas for Becca

Inquiring minds wanna know...

Note my use of the word most and my reiteration of it.

[XYpicuRN]

A. My union represents all of the nurses in our bargaining unit, whacked or otherwise. You claim to be a leader... leader of what? You previous posts showed disdain for your professional organizations, so tell me, how are you a leader?

B. Not all nurses know about this forum... hence the limited number of posters.

C. We don't wait 3 years for a raise. We negotiate a contract that dictates what our raise will be each year for the term of the contract. I will receive a raise each year for the next 3 years.

D. The hospital I work at is not the one you saw on TV. We recognize that human beings make mistakes. Our system looks to see what systems may have contributed to the mistake and attempts to correct the system problems.

Unintentional error is NOT, in fact, an oxymoron. An error is an error. Do you know people who intentionally err? Errors should not be "swept under the rug" but neither should professionals be treated patronistically who have a medication error. I've made errors in my day...should I have been disciplined for them? What would that accomplish? There is a difference between erring and repeated carelessness. The later should be disciplined, not the former.

Your logic about nursing unions is so flawed that I wonder why I waste my time responding. Yes there is a nursing shortage. And yes, as a traveler you negotiate your own contract. Bully for you. I don't travel. I don't want to travel. I enjoy being an active participant in the hospital I work at. I enjoy being engaged in my profession. And as such, I see the benefits of collective bargaining. I haven't lost my identity or personal voice. I am more able to speak out freely without fear of retribution. Non-union nurses don't always have that luxury.

[Anonymous]

A . A leader of one.. And a role model. What is your role model.. Follow me and I'll get you what you want??

B.Why haven't you told them about it. Worried they might not back you.. It's easy ..e-mail.

C. So we both get a raise every year.. Why do I need a union.. Can you tell me again??

D. Yes many people intentionally err.. Haven't you heard about the many deaths commited by nurses?? Are you saying non union hospitals don't look for reason's for med errors. Have you heard of Pyxis??

I don't do unions.. Why on earth do you feel the need to shove it down my throat? Because YOU think I need one?

When you have negotiated yourself out of a job..Come back and tell us all how not to do it..OK?????


WR,,, three commas for Becca

[Anonymous]

Paragraph 4 ... http://www.califnurses.org/cna/collect

"Refusal to work additonal hours or shifts is not considered abandonment by the Board of Registered Nursing"

Don't use a nurse's ignorance of their Nurse Practice Act to promote representation. Please.....


...Pretty straight forward..

Makes ya wanna go HMMMMMMMMMMMM


WR,,, three commas for Becca

[XYpicuRN]

A. Leader of one.... yeah, right. Now that's impressive.

B. My peers wouldn't waste the time I have discussing the issue with you. Your arguments are unintelligent.

C. See my previous posts. But, since you don't need a union - never mind.

D. "Many people intentionally err"........ you are whacked. The vast majority of professional nurses are responsible. The occasional criminal who harms patients does not represent the profession of nursing. To infer that they do does a disservice to nursing.

Obviously, it is impossible to engage in an intelligent conversation with you. Believe what you want.

[Anonymous]

It only takes one to be a leader.

I didn't ask any of them to discuss anything with me..I want them to come here and tell me why a union is great.

You finally get it.. I don't need a union.. And I believe many others don't.

How do you know how many err if a union doesn't bother to worry about medication errors??

I will believe what I want always have always will

You did look at my post referring to patient abandonment didn't you???????

"Refusal to work additional hours or shifts is NOT considered abandonment by the Board of Registered Nursing"

Per the CNA.. BTW how many nurses are there in Cali.. CNA represents 56,000.


WR,,, three commas for Becca

Actually, I believe travel nurses have done much for wages, and conditions in many areas of nursing. Many hospitals have stopped using travel nurses, increasing wages and hiring regular staff.. The nurses, techs, and secretary at the dialysis unit I am currently working in are all getting raises because I was there. The company doesn't want to have to hire another travel nurse. And I tell them to check out travel nurse sites to see what we are making and it gives them motivation. And a nice perk for them is that they don't have to pay dues for my help.

[XYpicuRN]

As a traveler - you have absolutely no authority nor expertise regarding collective bargaining in nursing. Since travelers arrange their own contracts and are not necessarily "invested" at any one institution, there is no need for collective bargaining. Your posts on this issue are simply a waste of cyberspace - and your arguments not to be taken seriously. I, on the other hand, work for a hospital. I have worked here for 6 1/2 years. I have a vested interest in the welfare of this institution and the economic and general welfare of nurses at this institution.

As far as travelers are concerned. There is a push by our institution to cut the number of travelers used. We have already reduced our numbers significantly. We do not ever use agency staff. Our focus is on recruitment and retention. Through collective bargaining, we have obtained one of the best (if not the best) compensation and benefit packages in the area. Travelers had nothing to do with it.

Please refrain from posting discussions on this topic since you aren't qualified to address the issue and your rants are getting more and more ridiculous.

Regarding patient abandonment. I'm not sure how the California Board of Nursing defines abandonment, but the Washington State Nursing Commission Policy Statement on Patient Abandonment reads as follows: "A licensed nurse-patient relationship begins when a nurse accepts the assignment for patient care. Patient abandonment occurs when the nurse leaves the nursing assignment without transferring patient care and giving specific patient information to an appropriate care giver." So.... if something precluded you from getting an appropriate relief - in this state anyway - you cannot simply leave your patients. It would be patient abandonment.

[Anonymous]

When you own this site then you may ask me to refrain from posting here..I don't need to go to the sun to know it's hot..

I don't even work in a hospital as a traveler so your reasoning is flawed.. I haven't work as a staff nurse since 2000...


And at the end of 12 hours I would transfer my patient to the supervisior of the hospital...

Besides how does your union get around this..

I have worked union and I have worked with union nurses so I believe I have a knowledge of union..

Almost every hospital in this country that has used travelers have tried to go without them and it doesn't last long..As for agency ...Yes, many hospitals have abandoned them because too many of their regular staff have gone to them.

When you price yourselves right out of the market and to foreign nurses please let the rest of us know ..Especially me.... I would love to tell you I told you so..


WR,,, three commas for Becca

[XYpicuRN]

LOL. You are a trip. All nurses in the Seattle area who work in hospitals are represented by collective bargaining. ALL. Get it..... ALL. We haven't priced ourselves out of the market. We ALL make a lot more than our counterparts in historically anti-union states. We're also protected from those isolated managers who'd fire you in a heartbeat because they "don't like your attitude." If you move to the Seattle area and work for one of the many hospitals here... you WILL be represented by collective bargaining. Do you have to join the union? Some places require you to either join the union or pay an agency fee (the amount equal to the costs to represent and negotiate your contract). Some don't. Some nurses are represented by their professional organization, some are represented by other "unions." Regardless, nurses have achieved much since they instituted collective bargaining.

If anyone wants more coherent information please contact me.

XYpicuRN
Nursing power through collective strength!

[Anonymous]

Haven't is past tense isn't it??? I said when you .....



Are you making $35/hour.. So I do have to pay even if I don't want to be represented by the union..I'm being forced to be in your group to work in that hospital.

You have still failed to tell us where you work.. If it's so great and you want to recruit nurses and retain them..Why won't you tell us??? Also, I'd like to check out how many openings there are there.. One of the premier travel nurse companies is based in Seattle and they staff Seattle hospitals..Ironic isn't that.

And you forgot to tell us if all the nurses have to strike when the union votes to strike?

You can explain your cohernet information here.. Why not??

WR,,, three commas for Becca