12
"CNA/NNU can't do anything about staffing
and patient care."
An independent voice for patient care and nursing
practice: the Professional Practice Committee (PPC)
The PPC is a staff RN-controlled committee, negotiated into every
CNA/NNU contract, with the authority to document unsafe practices
and the power to make real changes. Direct-care RNs elect repre-
sentatives from every major nursing unit in your facility to serve on
the committee, which meets in the hospital on paid time. The PPC
tracks unsafe conditions through an independent documentation
system called Assignment Despite Objection (ADO).
Language in your collective bargaining agreement requires
administration to respond to the PPC. The PPC can also go
to regulatory agencies, or the public, with its concerns. This
option puts pressure on administration to resolve issues
internally and quickly.
CNA/NNU RNs negotiate patient care and staffing-related
language into their contracts. A few examples:
• Restrictions on floating and addition of new float nurse positions.
• Prohibition of the use of mandatory overtime except in the case
of a declared emergency.
• Unresolved staffing issues that arise between RNs and
management can be submitted to a neutral third-party
arbitrator for a binding decision.
• Safe lifting policies.
CNA/NNU RNs have patient advocacy protection
With CNA/NNU representation, RNs are no longer "at-will"
employees. They can only be disciplined for just cause and
cannot be retaliated against for insisting on adequate staffing
and safe floating practices.
Myth #5
Truth:
There are many ways CNA/NNU addresses staffing and other
practice-related problems.
