I’ve been a registered nurse for 23 years now, and I have learned in those years that one of the most important aspects of our profession is being an advocate for my patients.
I’ve been a registered nurse for 23 years now, and I have learned in those years that one of the most important aspects of our profession is being an advocate for my patients. I have progressed from individual advocacy to collective advocacy and therefore became president of United Nurses of Alberta Local 43 (Olds).
I am writing in response to Deb Gordon’s comments from the Nov. 26 Olds Albertan article, "Nurses union, AHS at odds on impact of possible scheduling changes," and urge the public to be cautious about terms used. More specifically, "no desire to lose any nurses" does not translate into "we will not lay off nurses."
I am also wary about her speaking about "staff" versus "nurses". There are initiatives underway by AHS to increase the number of HCAs (health care aides) at the bedside while decreasing the number of RNs and LPNs. While I agree that HCAs are needed, they cannot replace nurses. It is tempting to just define a "task" and then analyze who can accomplish that task at the cheapest cost. For example, a patient needs a bath.
An HCA can certainly do that, but if a nurse performs the bath, we are also doing a head-to-toe assessment, noting changes, informing the doctor when appropriate and building a rapport so that person is more likely to share needed information. There are studies that show having a nurse at the bedside decreases time spent in hospital, adverse outcomes, and patient deaths. UNA is worried that as we go from front-line nursing up into the echelons of AHS, the focus changes from being patient-focused to a monetary focus. I believe in fiscal responsibility, but what price do you put on patient safety?
Nursing is an art and a science, and I will always be a nurse before I am an employee. I have to speak up and let the public know that although words spoken sound positive, they cannot be taken always at face value. Nurses have been told by AHS that we are "respected" and "valued." I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a nurse that works for AHS that feels that is true at the present time.
We had our AGM for Local 43 tonight, and I played a song by the Dixie Chicks, which included the lyrics:
I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round.
These are issues that we fought for 10 years ago, and here we are again. So, while AHS tries to decide who will be CEO this week, nurses will continue to do our job and keep the foundation of health care in Alberta steady. We will stand strong and fight for our profession and those we are privileged to care for.
Heather Venneman, RN
Olds
