It is apparently clear to America that our healthcare system is "broken." Who is going to lead this change? It will be the bedside nurses. We are the ones that witness the catastrophes that happen as a result of this mess. It makes since that a "unionized hospital" should be able to provide better, guality patient care. The union empowers the nurses to stand against the "administration" who's only concern is the bottom line, not quality patient care.
The nurses in Nevada have been represented by SEIU for quite sometime now. How has this enabled us to increase quality patient care? We have inferior contracts and patient ratios verbaige that requires management's approval. How often do you think that happens? There had not been a grievance filed at CHW in Las Vegas until the CNA/NNOC threatened SEIU's representation of the nurses. When did it become acceptable in these "unionized hospitals" to have patients in the hallways and conference rooms? These patients have no bathrooms, call lights or privacy. There are many nurses that are given 3 patients in ICU on a daily basis. There are makeshift ICU units without adequate staffing or equipment. SEIU's focus in on organizing new nurses without representing the nurses that they already have. SEIU has left the nurses and patients behind.
The charges that have been filed against the DON's of these facilities are a ploy tactic for the upcoming negotiations at UHS. These violations have been occurring for quite sometime. SEIU wants the nurses to believe that they are "really" doing something for them. How many nurses and patients have suffered since the last contract was ratified. TOO MANY.
This is why we have invited the CNA/NNOC to Las Vegas. It is time for a change. It is time to stand up and say that patients dying and suffering is unacceptable. It is time to say that hostile working environments for the nurses have to stop.