J U LY | A U G U S T 2 0 1 1 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 N A T I O N A L N U R S E 17
D
uring this Great Recession, as we're talking
to registered nurses across the country about our
campaign to win a Main Street Contract, it's clear
that many RNs are financially supporting more
people than they ever have in the past. Some are now
the sole breadwinners of their households as husbands or partners
have lost their jobs. Others are supporting adult children and grand-
children, either keeping them in their own homes or sending money
every month. And some younger nurses of Baby Boomers with
inadequate retirement incomes are helping their parents out as well.
Listening to their stories, it's clear that living-wage jobs are desperately
needed, secure retirement systems are needed, national single-payer
healthcare for every individual is needed—all key components of the
Main Street Contract that nurses are demanding for all Americans.
Here are two stories of two nurses at completely different stages
in their careers, but who have one thing in common: They are both
supporting family members who otherwise would not be able to
make ends meet or have access to basic needs such as healthcare.
Life Support
During this economic crisis, nurses are often the ones
keeping their households afloat.
BY LU C I A H WA N G
Profiles_REV 2 8/16/11 5:17 PM Page 17
