National Nurses United

brought me into the labor movement, which instilled in me a core value of social justice." An early lesson came when Ross was working as a casual float nurse at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Minnesota's Twin Cities. A supervisor questioned her about not working weekends, stating that working them was "hospital policy." Ross pointed out that the nurses' union contract had no such clause, and that it couldn't be superseded by hospital policy. The encounter left the supervisor sputtering. Ross's bargaining unit chair, Pat Johnson, backed up her claim, and when Jean asked if others knew about this issue, Johnson posed a challenge. "Yes Jean, that's a problem. How should we let them know?" "I replied, 'Well, I've just been talking to people, but maybe we should put something into a newsletter,' and the rest is history," says Ross. Ross went on to serve as bargaining chair for Fairview for 20 years, was elected to the Minnesota Nurses Association's Economic and General Welfare Commission and became Treasurer of United American Nurses, among other accomplishments. As Ross sets her focus on national efforts with National Nurses United, she revels in the fact she gets to act with 150,000 other likeminded people. "We're moving forward with one agenda that benefits all of us," says Ross. "This is what unions should be doing, and we are leading the way." It is a critical juncture for nurses, one rife with both necessity and opportunity, Ross says. She points to the increasingly concerted efforts of hospital employers to block important initiatives like safe staffing ratios. "They don't let state lines bother them," she says. "They're all putting their resources toward fighting ratios." A super-union of nurses is essential to move forward patient-protection measures that can succeed despite this opposition, Ross contends. With National Nurses United, nurses are poised to be a formidable force in setting healthcare policy, she says. "The profit-based healthcare system is in direct conflict with the needs of our population," says Ross. "Nurses want to make sure patients are cared for safely and well. I am convinced we will do this together." Jean Ross, RN Martha Kuhl, RN Profiles Name: Deborah Burger, RN Facility: Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa, California Unit: Gastroenterology/infusion center Nursing for: 34 years Astrological sign: Pisces Nursing pet peeve: Nurses who know the contract but don't enforce it and let things slide Favorite work snack: No longer snacks Recent work accomplishment: Helping to contact thousands of nurses have that volunteered to go to Haiti Color of favorite scrubs: Royal blue Hobbies: Gardening, sewing (she recently made a three-foot-high stuffed bear for her niece) Last book read: The Great and Secret Show, by Clive Barker 20 N AT I O N A L N U R S E Name: Karen Higgins, RN Facility: Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts Unit: Intensive care Nursing for: 35 years Astrological sign: Aries Nursing pet peeve: That the public still does not understand what nurses really do Favorite work snack: Anything chocolate Recent work accomplishment: Encouraging fellow nurses to be more involved in union activities Color of favorite scrubs: Any bright color Hobbies: Golf Last book read: The Killing Game, by Iris Johansen. "Pure enjoyment." 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 JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2010

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