Days short of my one year anniversary as a RN, I find myself watching from the sidelines the passion my fellow co-workers have for their jobs and their patients...
As most of you have heard, as of 7am yesterday, 3rd day of Jun 2009, the unionized nurses of EHMC were locked out. As a result, informational picketing commenced. At first, I didn't quite understand what was going on. All I knew was that, from then on, I was unemployed.
Staffing issues were the deal breaker for negotiations. Safe staffing. Numerous times, I've witnessed the floor file for unsafe staffing because of the "ridiculous" nurse to patient ratio. Now, what is the ideal patient ratio? Well, it depends on the acuity, the level of care a patient needs. Nowadays, people are becoming more sick with multiple diagnoses and treatments. We use a program called "OptiLink" that helps us organize staffing as well as project census with the ratio. According to the site it's a "Patient Classification System" designed to:
- display real patient demand, enabling you to balance assignments: meet cost, quality, and staff satisfaction goals on each shift
- measure real-time acuity adjusted actual census: deploy and manage required staff precisely and efficiently
The claims of average nursing salary over $100k ?!?! What is that? I don't see it. If they do, it's like 14% of them. Those RNs have earned it. Their 30+ years experience. The lives they've saved and helped. The new RNs they've trained and retained. The MAGNET recognition 2 years in a row!!!
Now about overtime. Overtime happens because of the acuity. So many things have to be done in such a short amount of time. More people to available to work, would mean less overtime. Safer staffing.
Extra 30 minutes without pay? Sure. 15minutes before and 15minutes after. How is that going to work with families and their schedule? Kids have to go to school, someone has to pick them up, babysitting?
How come more $$$ was spent to hire temp RNs? They have room, board, transportation. As I saw them enter and leave via coach bus. I saw the ones leaving looking so tired and overwhelmed. They're called "scabs." I don't know why; I'm assuming a metaphor. They are nurses, too, doing their job. I quite don't agree with the term. It's so harsh. Perhaps, it was the experience from 3yrs ago where the temp RNs hired cursed, gave the finger, and were mean to them. I do hope they understand how stressful the job is. Patient population has dramatically changed from 20 years ago.
As for the media, the proposed contract that was offered to the union... unacceptable. The use of vague words leaves management to use loop holes. What is the difference between "no changes" and "no significant changes"? It's like handing over a blank check.. too dangerous.. would you sign something without reading the fine print?
i'm done for now...
