Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/198072
NewsBriefs:JanFeb 3 2/28/09 12:56 AM Page 10 WRAP-UP REPORT Illinois To defend critical public health services for the Chicago community, CNA/NNOC RNs participated in many of the public county budget hearings in December. Speakers included RNs Kathy McKinney at the Oak Forest hearing, Jim Pandazides in Skokie, and Diane Ellis from Stroger. CNA/NNOC worked closely with doctors, ancillary staff, and our allies throughout the Emergency Network to Save County Health Services to create a powerful, united front in arguing against further cuts. "This was the first time that I have spoken publicly to our commissioners," said Kathy McKinney, RN and steward at Oak Forest Hospital. "It was incredible to be supported by the more than 30 nurses who attended the hearing. We felt empowered by having our voices heard as one." After McKinney spoke, all 35 nurses stood and left as one group and the Oak Forest auditorium erupted in applause. RN leaders also participated actively in a series of meetings held by interim system chief David Small, pressing him hard with detailed questions about the budget. As a result of these interventions, Small revealed that the county will not be asking health system employees to take unpaid furlough days - a key CNA/NNOC demand. CNA/NNOC anticipates that the hard work in 2009 will be RN intervention in the strategic planning process under new trustees who assumed control of the system last year. CNA/NNOC will be convening a bureau-wide PPC in order to systematically ensure that nurse interests are protected and advanced in the rebuilding process. Florida In February, RNs representing more than 20 healthcare facilities held a ratio summit in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa to discuss the critical need for RN–to-patient ratios and made plans to build an organization strong enough to win them in Florida. Nurses from Hospital Corporation of America hospitals, Catholic hospitals, and public hospitals met to discuss how to work together in their respective areas of the industry.As part of the summit, RNs participated in a continuing education course about safe staffing, collective and social advocacy, and RN rights. They resolved to take two specific actions to achieve ratios: collect real-life patient care 10 REGISTERED NURSE stories to educate legislators and the public about the need for ratios and RN rights, and lobby legislators in their home districts through direct meetings. Contact Libby Devlin at ldevline@calnurses.org for a copy of the patient stories form or to get involved. Ohio With the increase in nurse-friendly legislators after the November 2008 election, Ohio CNA/NNOC RNs are preparing to work with allies in the senior, public health, and labor movements to enlist these newly elected officials in the fight for hospital safety and quality nursing care. RNs are seeking introduction of the Ohio Hospital Patient Protection Act early in 2009. Nurses are focusing on circulating cards in hospitals which document the prevailing nurse to patient ratios in every unit of the hospital. Using our "ratio tracking project," RNs will paint an accurate picture for legislators of the often dangerous staffing conditions in Ohio hospitals. The project also educates nurses about how to collaborate as a CNA/NNOC team inside their hospital. Metropolitan committees have formed in most of the major cities of Ohio and in 2009 RNs hope to establish outposts in Toledo and southeast Ohio as well. Pennsylvania Nurses from Temple University Northeastern Hospital gathered outside in 20-degree weather to show their intent to fight against any cuts to vital services, including maternity services. Part of Temple University Health System, Northeastern is a nonprofit facility that receives taxpayer support for its care of uninsured patients. As Kris Campbell, an RN leader working in the short procedure unit commented, "It is outrageous for Temple to eliminate vital services at a time when they receive generous subsidies from the state and federal government as a safety net hospital. A decision by Temple to cut vital services will place patients in jeopardy and it must be stopped." Northeastern is one of the last community hospitals offering maternity services in Philadelphia. In a little over a decade, 13 out of 20 maternity units in the area have been shut down, leaving entire neighborhoods with little access to maternity care. The need for services at Northeastern is high: More than 1,800 babies were delivered there (an increase of 30 percent in three years). The rally received attention not only from the media, but also area politicians, community leaders, activists, and physicians. PASNAP is actively mobilizing nurses, community, and political leaders to pressure Temple to maintain Northeastern as a full-service hospital. Texas Houston registered nurse activists representing CNA/NNOC regional and metropolitan committees from around the state will gather on Wednesday, March 4 in Austin, Texas for a leadership meet-and-lobby day. CNA/NNOC in Texas has filed nurse-drafted legislation, titled the "Texas Hospital Patient Protection Act of 2009," which establishes safe RN-to-patient staffing ratios, real whistle-blower protections for RNs, and a clearcut right to act as patient advocate. That day, RNs will focus on next steps in the fight for ratios and rights for Texas nurses. Nurses will also directly lobby selected legislators at the Capitol. National CNA/NNOC leadership will attend the meeting and report on activities around the nation. Nurses will have an opportunity to meet with the legislative sponsors of the bill and make legislative visits to others. For more information please contact your local CNA/NNOC office. —staff report RNs Olga Perez, Judy Lerma, Diana Pirzada, and Vikki Avaregan join AFL-CIO President John Sweeney in honoring executive director emeritus of the national AFL-CIO, Linda Chavez-Thompson of San Antonio (third from left), for her work in the labor movement. W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2009