4 replies to this topic

[rehabmarie]

I would like to hear from anyone who works in a Nurse Union. How is it different than non-union? Is there anyone from the Denver, Co area? Is it a union area?

[NawlinsGirl]

Hi Rehabmarie,

Im a travel nurse in northern california. As a traveler im not involved in the unions but most hospitals here are union based. California is very pro union state . What im able to obeserve, is that if you are in the union, you as an employee have backing from the union in many ways.

In my opinion, there are pros and cons to belonging to the union. I know for a fact they set the standards for other union based hospitals to achieve better working conditions and better benefits for the nurses. On the other hand, ive seen them back incompetent nurses and allow them to get away with murder. Personally, I dont think I would want to be apart of a union.

[aussie-margaret]

I belong to the NSW Nurses Association - costs about $400 a year for a Registered Nurse.

I get phone advice, legal advice and help - and other assistance and help as needed.

THe NSWNA will also check pays to make sure we have been paid correctly and step in if not.

NSWNA will step in , in disputes and pushed for better pay, conditions etc.

If any legal issues we are advised to notify the association and then they take over

I have had them step in for me 2 times.

Once to get back pay when I was underpaid by an employer.

Once years ago, when I was sacked by an employer for refusing to do something - which was illegal and unethical.

So I keep up my membership.

[ladybugj]

i am part of a union at a hospital in rhode island and for the most part, i am glad to have it. it is useful in fighting for our pay increases, missed pay, patient safety, nurse safety, etc. the part i don't like so much is that the pay scale is applied to all. whether you put in 50% or 110% of your knowledge, sweat and heart, we all get the same raises. this is frusterating because there are some real slackers who i believe don't deserve their job, nevermind a raise. we are able to file for unsafe staffing if necessary and the grievance is reviewed by people who aren't worried about the hospital budget and we have union representatives on each unit to provide valuable input into what really goes on, not the theoretical, text book examples. i believe is is mostly beneficial.

[mattsmom]

My 2 cents based on my own experience: I trained in a unionized area then moved to the nonunion southern states. The differences are too numerous to list!! I found nurses oppressed, fearful, and backbiting...unable to speak out for their patients or their profession, they were reduced to sniping at one another. Our profession was limited by what the hospital and the docs (who are GODS) want.

I'm back in a union area now (YAY) and have many safeguards and avenues to pursue if I run into a problem on the job...whether personally or professionally. We have a strong contract where we are paid by experience (no new grad coming in to earn more $$ than a 20 yr nurse, who is told to train them ...which happens in Texas) I have a union rep to stand by me if a problem occurs; and built in protocols for problem solving. I had nada in Texas....where nurses can and are fired for nothing, (at will state) and blackballed for contrived reasons. (its easy to fabricate dirt on someone when nobody is behind you)

I just can't say enough about the differences! Nurses are HAPPY in my new ICU!!! I am so much more satisfied being in this strong nursing union where we can safely voice our opinions and practice to our fullest extent! Of course I know some nurses are involved in unions that are not strong...a union is only as strong as its membership and leaders so I encourage you to get involved and make things better. You already have the means to improve your situation when you have a union in place, IMHO.