Hello Sisters and Brothers,Welcome to another issue of the National Nurse Alliance Roundup. In the past couple of weeks since the last issue went out, I've been corresponding with a number of nurses and member leaders about Workplace Violence, Safe Patient Handling, and Nurse-to-Patient Ratios. Clearly, these are the hottest topics burning up my desk these days -- apparently yours as well. And for good reason ... too many of us are getting hurt and we're afraid to even show up to work--and we all know that it doesn't have to be this way.
How is anyone supposed to live up to the standards of their profession under these conditions? One member told me the other day that his facility has a nurse-to-patient ratio of 17:1. I am not a nurse, so correct me if I am wrong here: You were not told that getting beaten up, working endless hours with inadequate staffing and breaking your backs awaited you back when you jumped into your career of choice.So, we have a lot of work to do ... 'We' being the operative word! We cannot -- and should not -- take on these monumental fights for our patients and ourselves alone. The idea of being a "one-person-union-member-show" just doesn't cut it and it is one of the reasons we are union members in the first place, to have a collective voice pushing to raise the standards in our professions.Easier said than done, right? Well, not exactly. We are part of the biggest and most powerful union on the planet. If we can all get on the same priorities page with what needs to happen first, second, third -- I don't think it's delusional of me to say that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to!
Injustices In Your Workplace: A Call To Action
As I've been traveling around and talking to members recently, I've learned a few things. The most interesting is that every member I talk to has a story. And each story, with slight differences, is saying the same thing. Part of what the Nurse Alliance does is bring our voices together so that we can push for what we need most. As a non-nurse organizer, that starts with me listening to you. As an online organizer unable to meet each one of you at the facility you work at, I rely on emails, blogs, list-servs and any number of means of communication (including picking up a phone to call you!) to hear your stories.And from this organizing, the over-arching conclusion I've reached is that we need to raise our voices and say, no ... we didn't become nurses to get spat at, cursed out, have chairs thrown at us or even punched around by our patients. We need to raise our collective voice to make it crystal clear that this is not what we signed up for and we will not let our patients suffer because of the facility's ill management.So, if you are ready to get heard, please, please, please email me ... tell me what local you are a part of, what your title is, and whether you want your story shared with others. If you want to stay completely anonymous, no worries ... just let me know. My email address is Richard.Negri@seiu.org.Share The Roundup
And while I have the stand for one more minute...do you know an SEIU nurse who should be getting the National Nurse Alliance emails? If so, help them get their voices heard starting with sharing the Roundup. All you need to do to make that happen is to click here and follow the steps.
Valerie Update
For our new Roundup readers: Sister Valerie Tate, RN, is the Nurse Alliance Coordinator for the National Nurse Alliance based at the union's headquarters in Washington, DC.
Valerie was in a terrible car accident early this year and is progressing toward a full and complete recovery. For a long time, the Roundup you are reading was her newsletter and her vision. Shortly after Valerie got hurt, I asked to have the honor of helping move her work forward -- at least by doing the Roundup -- and so here we are today. Aside from my opening rant (see above), I don't dive into a Roundup without first giving you a Valerie Update.
With all the love and light Valerie has given to us over the years, it is important to share how she is doing. Since I know we've gained around 40 more readers since the last issue of the Roundup, I'd like to provide you with the link to the Caring Bridge website. At this site, Valerie and her family graciously give us near-daily updates on her progress. Please visit the site and send Valerie the same love and light she has humbly given to so many of us: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/valerietate1
Albany NY Nurse Attacked at Juvenile Facility Speaks Out
Cheryl Huxhold has been a nurse for more than a decade and has cared for youth at the Tryon juvenile facility in Johnstown, Fulton County for the past four years. Less than a month ago, Cheryl survived a violent attack by a 15 year-old girl inside the facility.
Cheryl courageously took part in a press conference to share her story with reporters in the hope that the violence inside Tryon will finally be addressed. (Pictured below in a photo taken at the press conference are Cheryl Huxhold; Mike Bohchard, a PEF member and youth counselor at Tryon; Bill Agresta, a youth counselor and PEF council leader and Wayne Blom, the youth counselor at Tryon who pulled the girl off of Cheryl.
Here's what happened: On Tuesday, May 17, a male youth counselor was holding a meeting with a group of youths when the 15 year-old pulled up her shirt, exposing her breast to the counselor, and subsequently began taunting him. The counselor ignored the girl who then pulled down a book case, stood on it, put her hand down her pants and smeared vaginal fluid on the counselor. The counselor called for Cheryl, the only available female employee in the area.
The girl first threatened Cheryl and then began spitting on her before repeatedly stabbing her with a pen.
"It all happened so quickly," Cheryl said. "She was punching and kicking me as other girls and the counselor tried to get her off of me," she added. The girl was eventually subdued by the male counselor.
Cheryl suffered a concussion, chipped teeth, facial lacerations, multiple wounds from being stabbed with the pen and bruising. The girl was arrested.
"I decided to speak out because I think it's time someone stands up to say, 'Enough is enough,'" Cheryl said. "The violence in the Tryon facility has reached an alarming level. The youths are assaulting one another and staff on a regular basis."
According to Cherly's local, it is of no surprise to learn that Gladys Carrión, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS), has routinely blamed staff while implementing polices and procedures that give these troubled youths the upper hand and rushing them into community-based programs that are inappropriate and don't provide the intensive treatment needed.
When the press conference took place, Cheryl was accompanied by three other members, including a leader from her union. Why is this important? Because it enabled her to feel supported in taking the risk of speaking out and possibly facing employer retaliation. This is what union means, at the most basic of definitions -- standing in support of one another.
Cheryl, who is a member of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), an SEIU affiliated union, wrote in saying,
"If this had to happen to me, I believe it happened for a reason -- to help by bringing attention to this problem, and making others aware that the YDAs are facing this violence every day without legal recourse. New York State law now protects police officers, correction officers, emergency personnel, nurses, and others, but does not recognize YDAs. They essentially do the same work as correction officers and should also be protected by the law. I intend to look into this further and perhaps work with the Union to lobby for this change."
On June 1st, Cheryl's attacker was charged with a felony assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, as well as forcible touching, fourth-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. It is safe to say that the felony charges put on the patient would not have happened without Cheryl's bravery in speaking out.
PEF spokeswoman Darcy Wells said, "If the state allows kids who have committed crimes to commit more crimes while in state custody, without any consequences, that is clearly a failed public policy."
Does Cheryl's story resonate with anyone? Please share your stories! You can either email me at Richard.Negri@seiu.org or submit your story at http://nursealliance.onlineactions.org/page/s/workplaceviolence.
SEIU Nurses Honored
When word got around that Edna Brathwaite of SEIU's Healthcare Division was heading up to New York City to be part of the Eighth Annual Nurse of Distinction Awards Ceremony, I asked her to submit a review of the night for all of us. These awards, for folks that don't know, were created through the collective bargaining agreement between the 1199SEIU RN Division and the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes. They honor a group of peer-nominated nursing professionals for their dedicated work at 1199SEIU institutions.
Eighth Annual Nurse of Distinction Awards Ceremony 2011 By Edna Brathwaite
1199SEIU is a lot of things to a lot of different people, but on May 18, 2011, it became the venue where the most esteemed 1199 Registered Nurses and managers were recognized for the superior care and dedication that they provide to those who need it the most.
The night was wet and rainy, but it didn't dampen the spirits nor did it stop the excitement and buzz in the air as the nominees gathered -- dressed in their finest from head to toe -- to witness the leaders in their profession as they received awards in the following categories:
* Nurse of Distinction of the Year (hospital setting) * Nurse of Distinction of the Year (nursing home setting) * Nurse Leader of the Year (hospital setting) * Novice Nurse of the Year (hospital setting) * Nurse Preceptor of the Year (hospital setting)
Not one nominee left there empty-handed, they were all winners and rightly so. They had given of themselves all year long -- the selfless compassion, the endless shifts, and the highest level of professionalism exhibited by any group of RNs bar none.
As the honorees were acknowledged, Executive Vice President Norma Amsterdam, RN, MA, so eloquently expressed the mounting challenges that nurses face as the healthcare industry is plagued with an economy that we all struggle with and new technologies and medical innovations that we are yet to reap the benefits from.
1199SEIU President George Gresham and Secretary-Treasurer Maria Castenada were also on hand to recognize the 1199SEIU nurses as top-notch professionals and leaders, not only in their profession, but also in their Union.
Congratulations to all of you!
Safe Staffing vs. Unnecessary Patient Deaths
About this time last year, there was an editorial published in the NY Times titled, "Is there a nurse in the house," written by Theresa Brown, RN.
The Nurse Alliance sent the article to Cathy Stoddart, RN, BSN, an active member of our Union who works at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Because of Cathy's workplace being the exception and not the rule, she was approached for commentary on the editorial for the SEIU Blog.
"...[T]here are too few nurses to provide care, most hospitals around the country to cut nursing staff as a cost-cutting measure."
Many of you have likely read this article already, but I still think it is relevant to share again. Please send in what your Nurse-to-Patient ratios are so that we can compare one facility to another.
Here is the link to Cathy's article: http://www.seiu.org/2010/06/nurse-to-patient-ratios-the-lucky-few.php
CIR Convention 2011: Improving Patient Safety and Resident Wellness
In May, I was invited to attend the CIR Convention in Chicago. The CIR (Committee of Interns and Residents) members that I was fortunate enough to speak with before and after breakouts shared with me many of the same issues that SEIU nurses are dealing with as well. Like nurses, the members of CIR are fierce advocates for their patients. In reports from CIR regions around the country, residents recounted their challenges at the bargaining table and innovative new approaches to improving patient safety and access to care.
I'd like to share a brief article about the convention: http://www.seiu.org/2011/05/cir-convention-2011-improving-patient-safety-and-r.php.
First Nurse And First Woman To Serve As Army Surgeon General
OK, so this is just very, very cool: First Nurse Nominated as Army Surgeon General!
Last month an article was sent over to me with the subject line, "Tell your nurses!" I laughed, opened it up and found out about Major General Patricia Horoho, a registered nurse.
President Obama nominated Horoho as Army Surgeon General. If the Senate confirms her, she will be the first woman--and the first nurse--to ever hold this prestigious position.
There are a ton of articles out there about this amazing woman. Here is just one from The National Journal.
A Few Parting Words...
I hope you enjoyed this issue of the Roundup. Please take a minute and pass this on to any SEIU nurse who you think should get the Roundup directly using our online tool: http://nursealliance.onlineactions.org/page/share/NARoundupinvite?source=NA06032011Until next time, -Richard