by Toni Brayer, MD
Only in the United States could a virus like H1N1 bring out the worst in medical politics and greed. We are facing a pandemic that requires coordination, communication and the best of medical practice. But what are we getting? Strikes, lawsuits and anything but putting patients first.
The California Nurse Association (CNA), is taking this opportunity to call a strike on three large Catholic hospital chains (which comprise a total of 34 hospitals) throughout California and Nevada. The union bosses say the chief concerns are a lack of protective gear, improper isolation techniques and staffing that requires nurses to work 12-hour shifts during the flu crisis.
Although the nurses seem to want to walk out during a pandemic to “protect patients,” nurses in New York and Washington also filed a lawsuit over the idea that they should be required to get the flu vaccine.
You can’t have it both ways, nurses. You either want protection or you don’t.
This is an obvious smokescreen for contract negotiations, not H1N1 preparedness. Coincidentally, the CNA is in negotiations now with Catholic Healthcare West. Since nurses in California already earn more than many physicians, this type of bargaining rhetoric exposes an somewhat unseemly side of nursing.
Most nurses in California hospitals work part time and receive full benefits. At a time when unemployment is at an all time high, nurses are receiving up to six percent pay raises due to union bargaining.
I respect nurses and believe in true collaboration for patient care, but as we prepare for flu season, this type of unprofessional, opportunistic behavior needs to be called out for what it is.
Tony Brayer is an internal medicine physician who blogs at EverythingHealth.
Submit a guest post and be heard.
Related posts:
- Who’s dying from the H1N1 flu pandemic?
- 2009 H1N1 influenza – the pandemic continues
- Is the seasonal flu vaccine associated with H1N1 pandemic influenza?
- How H1N1 pandemic flu will affect intensive care units
- What does H1N1 pandemic flu as a national emergency mean?
- Beware using the web for H1N1 pandemic flu drugs
- What having the H1N1 flu feels like
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Just don’t paint all nurses with the same brush. I’m not in a unionized hospital, and we didn’t get a raise this year. Frankly, I’m happy I have a job. H1N1 vaccine wasn’t required for us, but I got it – because I want to protect myself and my patients. But the other day, when push came to shove, and I was overwhelmed by my assignment due to RSV outbreak, I did call for help and called for more protective gear. With H1N1 wiping out half the staff, and RSV taking over the unit, it’s precarious, and we do need protection. For our patients.
I don’t make even a quarter as much as a doctor, and I work full time plus am in grad school to get my masters…in nursing and bioethics.
We’re not all bad!
If what you “part time”is the 3 – hour shifts that are mandated by the hospitals, then you just don’t get it.
Required or requested overtime, is also a part of the “part-time”. As are holidays, week-ends and days when our kids are sick.
Carrie: I love nurses and I respect your comment about not painting all with the same brush. The flu season requires nurse leadership to work hand in hand with hospital admin to make sure patients and nurses are protected. I hope you got the help you needed.
Patty: You are right, I don’t “get” three hour shifts and I haven’t heard of them. I agree that would be a hardship. Many nurses I know like to work 12 hour shifts and get a full day off. Many nurses also choose part time work, understandable because of kids and other life demands. With full benefits, it is a richer package than most physicians enjoy.
I don’t think that they ought to be required to get the vaccine. They should be educated and then have a choice. It is their body. They ought to be provided with adequate protective gear whether they get the vaccine or not. They are two completely different things. One is an invasion of the body with some risks while the other is not. A catty “Either you want protection or you don’t” is uncalled for.