National Nurses United

Index 2006 1/9/07 3:08 PM Page 15 It's Not Just Theory. Connecting the dots between politics and our everyday lives. August p. 9. Caring for Democracy. Nurses have shown they have the power to change policy. Extending that power to the voting booth. September p. 9. Game Over. Passing Prop. 89 is the only way Californians can fundamentally change our political system. October p. 13. Change Will Come. Though we didn't win all we wanted in November, election results show that the public wants genuine healthcare reform. November p. 9. Decoding the Healthcare Debate. As the debate for healthcare reform intensifies, all the choices can be distilled into two general areas—reform that is patientbased with public accountability or market-based approaches. December p. 7. =H= HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY IHSP Study Shows U.S. Hospital Charges Continue to Rise. January/February p. 4. HOSPICE Inventing the Good Death. Remembering the life of Dame Cicely Saunders, the woman who founded the hospice movement. September p. 10. =I= IMMIGRATION Common Cause. The current debate over immigration reform fails to equate the issues of immigrant workers with all workers. July p. 19. INTERNATIONAL A Study From Abroad. On a visit with CNA/NNOC, a South Korean healthcare workers union shares some stories of success and in-your-face organizing. August p. 16. =K= KATRINA Missing and Inaction. Both the Red Cross and government couldn't or wouldn't provide the medical care needed after Hurricane Katrina. Just who's in charge DECEMBER 2006 of handling our medical response to disasters? January/February p. 9. KENTUCKY RIVER Clear and Present Danger. A federal labor board decision on whether RNs are supervisors holds the potential to deprive all RNs of their union rights. June p. 3. How will the labor board decision on RNs as supervisors affect you? Nurses give their take on how the Kentucky River decision changes their work lives. July p. 8. RNs Confront Hospital Industry on Supervisor Issue in Chicago. Nurses gather in Chicago and stop traffic to protest the Kentucky River decision. August p. 4. RNs Vow to Fight Federal Ruling Falsely Labeling Them Supervisors. October p. 4. Kaiser Contract Neutralizes Supervisor Decision. Kaiser Permanent RNs succeed in blocking Kentucky River through their contract language. October p. 5. =M= MEMBERSHIP EVENTS RNs Gather in Sacramento to Build Momen tum for Patient Advocacy Program. At CNA/NNOC's 2006 Staff Nurse Assembly, RNs met to discuss efforts for patient advocacy. June p. 4. MENTAL HEALTH The Battle at Home. Soldiers returning from Iraq and other conflicts are showing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in evergreater numbers. Will we be able to handle their treatment and how can RNs help? October p. 14. MENTORSHIP Nurturing Nurses. How a California Nurses Foundation mentorship program is preventing newly-hired nurses from dropping out of the profession. November p. 10. =N= NATIONAL Kentucky and Maine RNs Look to Team Up with CNA/NNOC. Registered nurses in the two states consider affiliating. June p. 6. Maine Nurses Climb Aboard with CNA/NNOC. Members of the Maine W W W. C A L N U R S E S . O R G State Nurses Association vote to join CNA/NNOC. October p. 12. Texas Nurses Rally to Promote Needed Laws. Hundreds of Texas nurses converge on the state Capitol to push for a bill that would establish staffing ratios, whistle-blower protections, and a clearcut right to act as patient advocate. November p. 6. Cook County RNs in Chicago build selfsufficiency as they prepare to fight demands for drastic 17 percent budget cutbacks. December p. 6. NURSING PRACTICE AND ADVOCACY Safety Dance. Hospitals are fond of forming Rapid Response Teams, groups of critical care experts that RNs call when patients go south. But are these teams just another excuse to understaff and deskill the role of RNs? June p. 18. RNs Gather in Sacramento to Build Momentum for Patient Advocacy Program. At CNA/NNOC's 2006 Staff Nurse Assembly, RNs met to discuss efforts for patient advocacy. June p. 4. Ohio Members Seek RN Advocacy Language. June p. 5. CNA/NNOC Conference Sets National, State Advocacy Goals. June p. 6. Illinois RNs Seek to Strengthen Nursing Practice Laws. September p. 8. Nurses in Ohio rally to protest unsafe staffing conditions and for their right to patient advocacy. October p. 9. Texas Nurses Rally to Promote Needed Laws. Hundreds of Texas nurses converge on the state Capitol to push for a bill that would establish staffing ratios, whistle-blower protections, and a clearcut right to act as patient advocate. November p. 6. NURSING PROFESSION In RNs We Trust. Nurses top polls for ethics. January/February p. 5. Nurturing Nurses. How a California Nurses Foundation mentorship program is preventing newly-hired nurses from dropping out of the profession. November p. 10. RNs Most Ethical. Nurses top polls for honesty and ethics. December p. 6. REGISTERED NURSE 15

• Cover