Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/927372
O C T O B E R | N O V E M B E R | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 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 13 covering more than 700 RNs with major gains and a first-ever schedule for raises based on years of experience. In addition to economic gains, the contract specifies changes in staffing, scheduling, health and safety protocols, and protections for senior RNs and new graduates. This includes workplace violence protection language, safe patient handling, mandating educa- tion and training, and safe staffing. The new contract covers more than 700 RNs. The new contract will help attract and retain experienced RNs. "This contract is a victory for the entire [Oceanside] commu- nity, as well as the RNs," said Alyce Budde, a 27-year RN at Tri-City. VeNturA COuNty MeDiCAl CeNter ventura county nurses voted over- whelmingly in December to ratify new contracts for both 550 registered nurses and 150 per-diem nurses that will strength- en patient care conditions. The RN contract is a two-year agreement, and the per-diem nurse contract is a three-year agreement. Contract highlights include: economic gains, educational opportunities for nurses, guaranteed meal and rest breaks, provisions that prevent nurses from being floated to areas outside their expertise, and language that makes it easier for RNs to volunteer with the RN Response Network. "We're so proud that nurses stood together to achieve such a strong contract to help us protect our patients, and to help protect nurses at work," said Monica Diaz, RN. Maine hospice of southern Maine (HSM) hospital workers held a candlelight vigil Dec. 20 in Monument Square in Portland to call attention to patient care issues and ask that management negotiate a fair contract with the workers, who unionized in May with the Maine State Nurses Association/ National Nurses United (MSNA/NNU). HSM employees include RNs, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains, and others. Management at HSM has engaged in retali- ation, heightened scrutiny, and other attacks on union activists, as well as refusing requests for bargaining dates. Unfair labor practice charges have been filed with the National Labor Relations Board. —Staff report NATIONAL T he national opioid epidemic has a very real and direct conse- quence for registered nurses: Patients using opioids who are brought into hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings could expose RNs and other healthcare workers to dangerous and potentially fatal concentrations of these chemical compounds. That's exactly what happened this August at Affinity Medical Center in Massillon, Ohio. A patient arrived uncon- scious from an apparent drug overdose. After treating the patient, one nurse start- ed feeling ill. Another nurse started caring for the first nurse, then started feeling dizzy, hot, and nauseous. One collapsed. Both nurses ended up needing to be administered opioid antidote; one nurse required 14 milligrams of Narcan to reverse the effects of the exposure. In comparison, a typical dose of Narcan is about 0.5 milligrams. Observers of this incident surmise that the nurses had had passive exposure to a substance called carfentanil, an analog of fentanyl which is 10,000 more powerful than morphine. "She was very sick. If it were not for the quick actions of her coworkers this could have been far more serious," said Michelle Mahon, RN and staff labor representative for Affinity. "She required immediate medical attention." National Nurses United is extremely concerned about the occupational hazards these types of drugs pose for nurses and is educating RN members about the substances, routes of exposure, symptoms, and what responsibilities employers have to put a plan in place to protect workers against exposure. NNU's Joint Nursing Practice Commission (JNPC) is develop- ing a practice alert on the topic and will publish it when finalized. "Nurses should be aware of this risk of exposure," said Cokie Giles, RN and NNU vice president who acts as board liaison to the JNPC. "Now is the time to assess employer readiness by requesting informa- tion on the current protocols in place and equipment available." To get the latest information about being prepared for potential opioid exposure as well as other information related to the JNPC and NNU's efforts to protect nurses at work, sign up for our health and safety newsletter by joining the campaign at this website: https://nationalnurses.nationbuilder.com/ nhsc-signup. —Staff report Opioid exposure a real work risk for nurses BreAkiNg News Affinity Medical Center shocks community with plans to close in february 2018. see next issue for news of nurses' fight to save hospital.