Comments by ERRN - Las Vegas Sun

Comments by user: ERRN

Posted on: If a hospital is unionized, might care be better?

This article cites a well conducted study on unionized hospitals vs nonunionized hospitals. It's imperative that the people of every community understand the importance of Nurse to Patient ratios. Without these ratios the care that needs to be given will be suboptimal, not only for the patients but for the healthcare professional that has dedicated their lives to delivering. There currently is no law on a National level regulating nurse to patient ratios. California is fortunate to have had a law passed and implemented to secure the safety for all patients and their nurses delivering their care. One of the many agendas of CNA/NNOC is to educate the public and the legislatures of the importance of having this become a Federal Law. This is an example of how a union has taken the high road and not the easy road to support the very nurses that they represent. SEIU has been in the Las Vegas Valley representing nurses and bargaining contracts and have yet to secure the very much needed staffing ratios we all so deserve. The ratios that SEIU bargained for and put in our contracts did not secure accountability for our employers to follow. CNA/NNOC not only secured this for the California nurses but pushed for legislation and won. They have a proven track record of success and I know this Valley is in dire need of a radical change for our nurses and our community. Most people either don't understand or don't care to understand until it becomes personal. Ask yourself if your loved one has to be in the hospital do you want the nurse taking care of them spread so thin that they get suboptimal care or would you rather have their nurse readily available to deliver the very care that we took the oath to do ?

(Suggest removal) 10/12/08 at 12:35 p.m.