Nurses at Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas were blocked from safely staffing the NICU in the Hospital’s reaction to staging a one day strike this past Wednesday (December 6, 2023).
Prior to the planned strike, the Day Supervisor and Perinatal Director would not allow some nurses to work their shifts in the Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This action left only three Registered Nurses to tend to the NICU Patients, a ratio considered unsafe even by the Hospital staffing guidelines and was clearly in retaliation for the nurses planning to go on strike. Only 3 nurses for our most vulnerable preemie patients. It is unfortunate that Hospitals feel they need to guilt-trip nurses so they can’t exercise their freedom to go on strike.
Nurses at another Hospital, Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kansas are also planning to strike but any who do participate will not be able to return to work until Sunday, December 10th.
In my opinion, this may be illegal as I consider it to be an interference with the collective bargaining process to intimidate nurses to not strike by making them lose three additional days of pay.
The issues on the strike include equipment issues such as the lack of functional IV pumps, hospital gowns, blankets, and thermometers, as well as persistent problems with the Hospital issued phones that Nurses are required to use during their shift.
In addition, there are the issues of staffing and unsafe floating policies meaning Nurses are being assigned to units that they don’t usually work, haven’t been trained for and do not have the expertise required to treat their patients.
I think it is unfortunate that Healthcare facilities manipulate or pressure their employees to stay in their positions and not exercise their right to strike. This can manifest itself as guilt tripping, creating a sense of obligation, or even fostering in Nurses a fear of repercussion if they consider striking.
Addressing these concerns is crucial for the well-being of Nurses and the quality of care provided. It is imperative to create a positive work environment, including:
(1) adequate staffing,
(2) supportive leadership,
(3) respect and recognition,
(4) open communication,
(5) work life balance, and
(6) six providing resources.
Nurses play a critical role in our healthcare system and their well-being directly impacts patient outcomes. Hopefully, these are just a few of the constructive ways that healthcare facilities can improve satisfaction so that Nurses will not want to strike.
If your employer is guilt-tripping you to prevent you from exercising your rights, I say you can always get another job, but you can’t get another license.
I once had a Nurse who was terminated from Hospital A and relocated to Hospital B. Afterwards, I was pleased to hear her say, “It is so great here! Had I known how much better it was here, I would have left the other Hospital a long time ago.”
Another Nurse, terminated from Hospital B, made the same comment after starting work at Hospital A.
So, if you are working at a place that is not a good fit for you, keep in mind that there may be another place that is.
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