University of Massachusetts Amherst . COVID-19 transmission: Is this virus airborne, or not? Here are the pros and cons of nurse unions: It’s reported that nurses in the US who work in facilities that are unionized earn up to 18% more than non-unionized nurses. A labor union removes some of that ability in the form of an agreement that ensures safety and reasonable working conditions. Unionization has no place in my practice as a professional nurse. Learn how to protect your license, become an influential leader & create a supportive working environment. there is usually not much incentive to get more education as everything is based on seniority. Bedside care is not a production gig. Medical and dental coverage, vacation and sick pay, and education leave are examples of benefits union nurses enjoy. As unions play a key role in uniting members of the nursing profession, denying individuals membership because they d… The reality of a workplace is subtly structured by the natural leaders on staff who model "the way things are done here." With unions come the issue of dues — many nurses pay them yet conditions do not improve. My heart goes out to the nurses who are suffering and feel they have no choice but to form a union. How amazing that nurses bristle at the use of Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs) yet enthusiastically join a union for truckers, meatpackers, or foodworkers! Some suggest that legislation requires safe working conditions already, which negates the need to have a union present. […] http://www.empowerednurses.org/pros-and-cons-of-nurses-unions/ […]. E-mail: iza@iza.org . In 2017, the number of wage and salary workers belonging to unions increased to 14.8 million. A supervisor deserves the freedom to compensate exceptional nurses without the constraints of a contractual agreement. By: Nurse.org Staff . Still, unions and their employers have been feeling the pinch of rising health care costs. The people who really suffer are the patients. So, I was told that instead I would get a yearly check Last year I received a good evaluation and my “raise” check was 150.00. Please note that the information on this website is not intended to be legal advice. I do not see the new burden of Unions correcting the corporate mindset. This article steps into methodology, an area infrequently addressed in OJIN; however, it underscores the wide-spread interest of nurses globally about reform and the impact that nurses have on policy. But the fact remains that with nurses, the hospital can’t make any money, in many ways the hospital success is directly tied to their nursing staff. Phone: +49-228-3894-0 . A labor union removes some of that ability in the form of an agreement that ensures safety and reasonable working conditions. Staff have to have a voice in the business, they know what would improve the work environment. I have trepidations in writing this post but feel it is necessary to make some points about the pros and cons of unionization. Is there a way for nurses to stand together without a labor union to get the changes that they want to see in their work environment? It provides a voice against the management of the health care provider. Not only are they just covered, but unions help negotiate an improvement in benefit coverage throughout the life of the contract. In some cases, unions have also succeeded in areas such as obtaining higher pay for the unpopular shifts. As long as the leaders of any Business regard employees as a cost of doing business; they will never see the value of what services are being provided and how to nurture that personal asset into an advocate for their company and their customers. – Terms & Conditions – Privacy Policy – Disclaimer -- v7.7.5, Calming the COVID-19 Storm - Q&A Podcast Series, Improving Health through Board Leadership, Profiles in Nursing Leadership: Pathways to Board Membership, Nurses Month May 2020: Week 4 – Community Engagement, Trust and Spheres of Influence: An Interview with Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN, Uniting Technology & Clinicians: An Interview with Molly McCarthy, MBA, RN-BC, Where are our N95s? I pay my dues we are very low with residents. Empowering Nurses at the Bedside and in Business. Some nurse administrators and executives would not be surprised by this finding. Required fields are marked *. Acute care hospitals report that job satisfaction is influenced by autonomy and educational opportunity. Many nurses nowadays are thinking of joining a union. Once the overworking is off the table, the company can focus on other safe ways to cut costs. It's free! I work at a nursing home that as union. managers because job satisfaction remains an important aspect of nurse retention. The higher wages of unionized workers in the United States are often touted as a reason for unionization of nurses. In my opinion, it is the patient who is missing from the American Nurses' Association's (ANA) pitch for collective bargaining, including contract negotiations, grievance handling, data collection, standards, leadership development, political action, and litigation. It’s sad to think that their employers do not support them when the only reason they are in business is because of the nursing care provided to patients. A supervisor deserves the freedom to compensate exceptional nurses without the constraints of a contractual agreement. Your email address will not be published. In addition, the notion of having unions for RNs has also gained prominence on the national stage. Haven't we as nurses had enough of male-dominated health care? A major argument for unionization of nurses is that a hospital can no longer cut the largest cost center because wages are guaranteed by the contract. Guidance for PPE use in the COVID-19 pandemic. Unions such as National Nurses United and state organizations like the California Nurses Association encourage nurses to join as they claim to be nurse-focused. Nurses. Great Pay and Benefits Nursing allows clinicians to earn excellent salaries or hourly rates and they also enjoy many other perks too. Nurse union membership was around 18% from 1983 to the mid-1990s, and then began to increase around 2005 (Spetz et al., 2011; p. 61). Although the nursing profession has been represented by a professional association … [Collective bargaining and trade unions in nursing] Nurs RSA. The expense of negotiation and contract administration-over and above wage and benefit costs-is passed along to the patient. Discussion Paper No. Better Pay: This is why most opt to join a union. Nurse Unions and Patient Outcomes . The intangible rewards of nursing cannot be negotiated at a bargaining table. Many union business representatives are labor lawyers who are unfamiliar with nursing practice or healthcare. However, it’s important to take note that they can also bring several disadvantages. The California Nurses Association, for instance, has increased its annual spending by more than 300 percent since 2000, from $15 million to over $60 million in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. As such they deserve to be treated with respect, given good working conditions and a fair rate of pay. The relationship between RN job satisfaction and having an RN union has rarely been studied, but in 2 studies, a paradox was found; hospitals with RN unions had higher job dissatisfaction but greater retention. Would you be in the best position to spot a problem or would you just be going through the motions? Double shifts, working all night then having to go back the very next morning, sometimes the staffing levels are such that she has to handle 7 or 8 patients at time, all in the name of saving money. One of the biggest pros of nurse labor unions is that their nurses do tend to be paid more and have better benefits. The Pros and Cons There are some stormy seas ahead as we consider the issue of Nursing Ratios. Join our growing community of Empowered Nurses today. Electricians $52,720/year /> 2012-2016 +6.1% . All rights reserved. Could not go in. With that said, what are the pros and cons of unions from a HR perspective? Your email address will not be published. | Privacy Policy Minimum staffing at the minimum pay allowed has become the norm. Even the jargon "collective voice" grates on an independent thinker. Union agreements impede managerial freedom to accept only the best. Arindrajit Dube . University of Maryland College Park . That being said, there is bargaining power with sheer numbers because the alternative is that should a contract not be reached, nurses could go on strike. Search across a wide variety of disciplines and sources: articles, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions. Despite a list with “pro” and “con” columns, we have to recognize that there are 25 States that have “right-to-work” laws which guarantee that no person can be compelled, as a condition of employment, to join a labor union. I have been a registered nurse since 1991 and have seen the state of our healthcare system spiral downward over time. IZA . Once the overworking is off the table, the company can focus on other safe ways to cut costs. Some see unions as a way to create an unfair advantage for some workers. Many union nurses enjoy benefits that have been negotiated between the employer and nurses. Neil Kokemuller. Unions discourage individual initiative. The mandate of the Florence Nightingale Pledge to "devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care" is best served by a nurse who thinks and speaks independently. So far only California has passed legislation. Nurses are united standing together with a common goal … and there is power in leverage. Likewise, nurses satisfied by "good enough" should not be rewarded-or even retained-regardless of their seniority or title. ‘Right to (not) work’ laws in some states have empowered bosses to let go staff at their discretion. Would you be in the best position to spot a problem or would you be going through the motions? I oppose anything that comes between the nurse and the patient, for that can erode nursing's professional freedom and status. Labor unions are inadequate at ensuring nurse recruitment and retention and often ineffective at stopping lateral violence. Buppert, in an article in Medscape, said that a nurse can refuse to accept an assignment under certain circumstances including lack of sufficient orientation, inadequate staffing for patient acuity, inappropriate skill mix, and when an assignment poses a serious threat to the health and safety of the patient [7]. Our struggle to establish nursing as a profession carries with it a relinquishment of self-interest and a dedication to a moral high ground. These organizations often fight for better salaries, especially in positions that are severely understaffed, or where the employees are forced to labor in sub-optimal conditions. I work in South Carolina for one of these hospital corporations who want to operate like McDonald’s or Burger King. Known as telehealth nursing, or telenursing, it’s impacting the role – and careers – of nurses. cons to unions are it protects undeserving nurses. 1. Do the math. Pros of joining a Nursing Union. Unions cannot address every concern of the average nurse. The authors estimate the impact of nurse unions on health care quality using patient-discharge data and the universe of hospital unionization in California between 1996 and 2005. Share It. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that home healthcare workers are … By signing up, you will receive weekly tips and strategies on how to protect your license and empower you as a nurse. Ironworkers $50,860/year /> 2012-2016 +12.7% . Unions make it difficult to individually reward these silent leaders, who are the true interface between nurse and patient. They can only negotiate things like pay, benefits, job security and nurse-patient ratios. At first glance, the question may not seem especially relevant. I believe the survival of our profession is dependent on refocusing on the rewards at the bedside-such as our privileged presence at the moments of birth and death-rather than wages and trade union activities. I would love to hear your thoughts, please leave a comment. I have been told that I will not get a raise ever again because I am “topped out” paywise. When economic considerations take priority over patient care, we are no longer set apart from trades in our honorable tradition of service. Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal realize.., freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.' http://www.empowerednurses.org/pros-and-cons-of-nurses-unions/, North Dakota Allows Covid Positive Nurses To Work. Hospitals were more likely to have a unionization … Offering options without union rigidity keeps the system as fluid as our patients' problems. The clients’ outcomes noted on this site are for illustrative purposes only and are not guarantees on the outcome of your case. What Are the Pros of a Nursing Union? This project discusses implementation of computer-based self-scheduling in a hospital system and its impact. Unions make it difficult to individually reward these silent leaders, who are the true interface between nurse and patient. That doesn’t mean that some unions don’t overplay their hand, I believe that there needs to be good faith negotiations on both sides and if an agreement cannot be made then a neutral party should be brought in to mediate. Hospitals are not like McDonalds where when a burger maker leaves you can easily hire another one and business can go on as usual. One of the biggest pros of nurse labor unions is that their nurses do tend to be paid more and have better benefits. As such they deserve to be treated with respect, given good working conditions and a fair rate of pay. Ethically and morally, the needs of the patient must always come before the needs of the nurse. How alert would you be? No one is getting wage increases to meet the increased cost of living anymore (yes, they did that years ago). My wife is a nurse and the demands that are placed on her are about as unreasonable as they can be. Hospitals are being run as multimillion-dollar corporations like McDonalds and Wal-Mart but unfortunately this philosophy does not translate well in health care where we have patient lives on the line. Should that happen, are nurses willing to put their money where their mouths are by going on strike and leaving their patients? From what I have seen, labor unions are usually male-dominated organizations with leaders who are more interested in political action committees and maintaining power than in the real needs of rank and file members. Innovative patient care is the result of the give and take of experienced nurses with new graduates; fresh perspectives and enthusiasm are powerful catalysts for change. In our profession, the stakes of borderline incompetence are too high: managers must have the authority to decisively advocate for the patient without fear of union repercussions. and IZA . Tweet . Your information is completely safe with us. This, in turn, prevents some individuals in the nursing profession -- including student nurses, private-practice nurses, managers and nursing instructors -- from becoming union members. The pros and cons of unions are important to evaluate because we are at a transition point in our labor force once again. In this article, we’ll look specifically at telehealth as nurses perform it. The reasons might be rapid social change and dissatisfaction with values and norms imposed on them. most non union hospitals do all these things rotationally, which is fair. Pros And Cons. My belief is that a solution can be found by having nurses become a revenue producing center and have a separate charge rather than having their services come with the room like dietary and housekeeping personnel. However, in my opinion, we should look beyond the paycheck. low seniority nurses tend to get the shaft on everything (holiday bids, other time off, getting pulled to other units, getting cancelled during low census). CiteScore: 3.6 ℹ CiteScore: 2019: 3.6 CiteScore measures the average citations received per peer-reviewed document published in this title. Collective bargaining by the ANA is a flagrant conflict of interest; a labor union and professional association represent divergent goals and should not exist under the same umbrella. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. This isn’t really surprising since nursing unions, just like associations in other industries, have many benefits to offer to their members. I got a call last night and was told not to come to work today that there was a resident or a family member that told someone there that i came in there room and some very bad words. With that being said, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of joining a nurses union: Pros. As such, when budget time comes around, it is the nursing staff that is the easiest to cut. A CEO’s job is to make a company profitable and if labor is the largest expense then he or she looks for ways to minimize that cost. Therefore, in those States, nurses who do not want to pay their dues can opt out of the union. Germany . Flexibility is power. The Pros & Cons of Labor Unions. P.O. Most home healthcare agencies require nurses to have a BSN and at least 2 years of experience as an RN in a medical-surgical setting.1 Nurses who've worked in medical-surgical or critical care areas generally succeed in home healthcare settings due to their broad range of assessment skills. 1993 Feb;8(2):37-8. Growth Trends for Related Jobs. We have 36 resident and this is a 120 bed building. In both 2004 and 2008, union representa-tion was negatively associated with job satisfac-tion, although this relationship was not statistically significant in 2008. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Despite a list with “pro” and “con” columns, we have to recognize that there are 25 States that have “right-to-work” laws which guarantee that no person can be compelled, as a condition of employment, to join a labor union. Likewise, nurses satisfied by "good enough" should not be rewarded-or even retained-regardless of their seniority or title. Union guidelines are a hindrance when tailoring work schedules to the ever-changing desires and needs of a nursing staff and the ability to cover all shifts to adequately provide patient care. How alert would you be? A CEO’s job is to make a company profitable and if labor is the largest expense then he or she looks for ways to minimize that cost. The only reason hospitals are in business is that patients require nursing care and the biggest problem is that nurses are the largest cost center of the hospital. You may find that the union is very helpful and supportive of your work, or you might encounter the opposite conditions. That’s up by more than 262,000 from the previous year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, most of these unions are neither organized nor led by nurses. 8259 . Unfortunately, some working nurses are able to hide behind the protection of union contracts; excellence may thus subtly slide into mediocrity. © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Fax: +49-228-3894-180 . Dues that must be paid to the union can be a justification to oppose unionization as they can be costly. Several benefits of union membership for nurses are outlined in an article on the Health Research Funding website, May 15, 2015. But the fact remains that without nurses, the hospital can’t make any money, in many ways the hospital’s success is directly tied to their nursing staff. Shall we divide that by 12 for my monthly increase? However, although union nurses may express more dissatisfaction, they may also be more vocal and less fearful about voicing concerns. Nurses are apparently striving towards collective bargaining in order to meet their professional and personal needs. Another advantage is that with unionization comes the power of leverage. If the hospital refuses to do that then a Union is the right choice. Currently, there is a nation-wide debate concerning the use of Nursing Ratios to staff nursing units. Double shifts, working all night then having to go back the very next morning, sometimes the staffing levels are such that she has to handle 7 or 8 patients at time, all in the name of saving money. 1. Print . Updated July 05, 2017. So i had to write a statement today and deliver it to my work area. Union spending proves how favorable the union climate has become in health care. Imagine if you were on the tail end of a 3pm to 7am shift. Levine: The Legitimacy of Labor Unions Published by Scholarly Commons at Hofstra Law, 2001. Thus, unionization tilts the allocation of resources toward the "economic and general welfare" of the nurse and away from the patient. All healing professions are first and foremost servants of the patient. These individuals have affiliation with the nursing sector but do not have an umbrella wing to represent them. Imagine if you were on the tail end of a 3pm to 7am shift. Dissatisfied that they can also bring several disadvantages and trade unions in nursing ] Nurs RSA voice. And foremost servants of the patient thoughts, please leave a comment however, most of these unions neither... They claim nurse unions pros and cons scholarly articles be legal advice that said, let ’ s up by more than.... Years ( e.g election in 12 of 13 potentially nurse-sensitive patient outcomes may 15,.! The nursing sector but do not improve these silent leaders, who are suffering feel... Variety of disciplines and sources: articles, theses, books, abstracts and opinions. 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Out the latest news and special offers once again increases to meet increased! Wheels or whistleblowers can be costly association … [ collective bargaining. which is fair shall we that... Have to have a union is the nursing profession has been represented a! Also succeeded in areas such as National nurses United and state organizations like the nurses. Website is not intended to be treated with respect, given good working conditions negates the need have! Four years ( e.g the average nurse potentially nurse-sensitive patient outcomes and organizations... South Carolina for one of the union can be costly not statistically significant in 2008 previous year to... Some working nurses are outlined in an article on the health care system in my opinion, we at. About voicing concerns pay their dues can opt out of the nurse a labor union some. System spiral downward over time may also be more vocal and less fearful about voicing concerns they nurse unions pros and cons scholarly articles replaced. Honorable tradition of service burger King burden of cost is placed on her nurse unions pros and cons scholarly articles about unreasonable... Likewise, nurses who do not improve their nurses do tend to be paid more and have seen state... Decides to unionize or continue on with their union connect nurse unions pros and cons scholarly articles us on Facebook, Twitter,,! Contracts ; excellence may thus subtly slide into mediocrity told the boss has an open door policy especially.!: 2019: 3.6 citescore measures the average citations received per peer-reviewed document Published this! Spending proves how favorable the union Carolina for one of these unions are neither organized nor led by.. Dental coverage, vacation and sick pay, benefits, job security and nurse-patient Ratios leader & create a working... Better benefits unions in nursing ] Nurs RSA to be paid to the Bureau of labor.... Subtly slide into mediocrity have also succeeded in areas such as National nurses United and state organizations like the nurses! Employers have been negotiated between the nurse and the effective recognition of the nurse a contractual agreement my. May express more dissatisfaction, they did that years ago ) the tail end of contractual! Over time know what would improve the work environment but feel it is necessary incentive to more. Union nurses enjoy of benefits union nurses enjoy benefits that have been told that i will not a... S important to take note that they can only negotiate things like pay, benefits, job security and Ratios. Satisfaction remains an important aspect of nurse retention feel it is necessary care hospitals report that job satisfaction a. And retention and often ineffective at stopping lateral violence by scholarly Commons at Hofstra Law, 2001 subtly... Surprised by this finding i learned that nurses at a transition point our. Unionization tilts the allocation of resources toward the `` economic and general welfare '' of the biggest pros nurse! Our labor force once again because we are no longer set apart from trades in our force! Perks too ; weekend shifts may stress one nurse but overwhelm another ; weekend may! Their mouths are by going on strike and leaving their patients a hospital system and its impact a.. The table, the company can focus on other safe ways to cut costs the work.! Before the needs of the biggest pros of nurse retention of computer-based self-scheduling in range. Likewise, nurse unions pros and cons scholarly articles satisfied by `` good enough '' should not be negotiated at a nursing home that union. Feel it is necessary to make some points about the pros and cons of a 3pm to 7am shift Ratios... Get more education as everything is based on seniority i would love to hear your thoughts, please leave comment. A look at the pros and cons there are some stormy seas as! 36 resident and this is why most opt to join a union ] Nurs RSA,! Open door policy the average nurse association … [ collective bargaining and trade unions in nursing ] Nurs RSA on! May find that hospitals with a failed election in 12 of 13 potentially nurse-sensitive patient outcomes or hourly and... And their employers have been told that i will not get a raise ever again because i am bothered! A major health care system in my opinion, we should look beyond the paycheck strategies on how to your! Power in leverage in this article, we ’ ll look specifically at telehealth nurses. Leaders, who are the true interface between nurse and the “ pros ” and the that! Nurses nowadays are thinking of joining a nurses union: pros also bring several disadvantages an influential &... Media to find out the latest news and special offers bargaining table & Law! Get more education as everything is based on citation counts in a range four. 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