National Nurses United

NewsBriefs_Mar RAD's changes Korea back 4/2/10 6:12 PM Page 12 NEWS BRIEFS FLORIDA n february 16 and 17, more than 200 RNs from every major Florida city boarded planes, buses, and automobiles to Tallahassee to march, rally, and advocate for the Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act of 2010, which would set safe nurse staffing levels in hospitals and protect nurse whistle-blowers. The event illustrated the dramatic growth of the National Nurses Organizing CommitteeFlorida over the past two years. Inspired by the success of the California ratio law and the efforts of NNOC-Texas, the Florida RNs join nurses from Arizona to Pennsylvania who have been actively working to win passage of safe staffing laws in their states over the last few years. RNs intrinsically understand how ratios save lives and money. But legislators need to hear the everyday experiences of direct-care nurse constituents to be convinced. After a continuing education course on February 16 about the specifics of the ratio law and effective patient advocacy, RNs were ready to talk to their legislators. The next morning, in the face of unusually cold temperatures hovering barely above 30 degrees in the sun, the nurses marched through downtown Tallahassee clad in red scrubs, chanting and waving at curious shop owners and their customers who stood in doorways to get a peek at such an unusual sight. NNOC-Florida's message of patient O advocacy resonates strongly with nurses in the state. Florida RNs interviewed by National Nurse spoke passionately about conditions in their local hospitals and the grave need for the law. "My first job I had too many patients, and I couldn't stay because of the staffing," said Marie Platel-Wesh, an RN since 1986 from the Miami area. "Families are being treated badly because nurses have too many patients. I would like to return to bedside nursing. I think ratios would be beneficial to hospitals and to patients, and nurses would be happy to go to work." "From the first day I started nursing I knew something had to be done," said Tanya Runfola, RN, who works at a Tampa Bay hospital. "There are different interests in healthcare, patient interests and profitcentered interests. It's important for nurses to advocate collectively because they have a duty and obligation to their patients." The Florida Hospital Patient Protection Act of 2010 will: n Have unit-specific RN-to-patient ratios for all shifts including coverage for breaks and absences from the unit n Establish whistle-blower protections for RNs who expose unsafe conditions n Prohibit unsafe floating and layoffs of ancillary staff n Assure RNs the legal guarantee to serve as patient advocates 12 N AT I O N A L N U R S E W W W. N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G NNOC-Florida/NNU has come a long way in a very short time. In the spring of 2008, RNs from every corner of the fourth largest state in the nation came together for the first time to discuss being part of the national nurses movement. Meetings were held on the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast, the Panhandle and in Orlando. In the space of just two years, these early gatherings transformed into vibrant metro committees in the Tampa Bay region, as well as south and central Florida. Today, there are thousands of nurses participating in the effort to win RN-topatient ratios and defend nurses' right to advocate for patients. They are doing their first legislative visits, lobbying at the state capitol in Tallahassee, testifying at public hearings and being heard on radio, TV and major newspapers throughout the state. At the February 17 rally, nurses were greeted at the Capitol building quad by swarms of media, with Aretha Franklin's Respect setting the mood, followed by Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down, Bob Marley's Stand Up for Your Rights, and an original nurse version of I Will Survive sung by Florida RN leader Kelly George. Nurses from other states shared their experiences fighting for safe staffing and whistleblower protection. Kathryn Donahue, an RN from Eureka, California and California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee board member gave inspiration and hope as she spoke of the transformation she personally experienced in her hospital over five years of ratios. Before the law was enacted, she had had one foot out of the profession, ready to take up a second career as a musician. Austin, Texas RN Gwen Agbatekwe fired up the crowd with NNOC tales from her home state. Both sponsors of the bill, Rep. Oscar Braynon (D-Miami Gardens) and Sen. Tony Hill (D-Jacksonville) pledged to fight hard for its passage. The February event was just the beginning of Florida RNs' campaign in support of the Patient Protection Act. Every Wednesday until May, when the legislative session ends, delegations of nurses will visit the capitol to tell their stories. —Staff Report MARCH 2010 HILDA PEREZ Florida RNs Mobilize to Improve Patient Care

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