MILLION NURSE MARCH by Julie

We need nursing students to know whats going on & be prepared to fight for our profession...... here is a letter that I wrote for a press release. It is being distributed nation-wide by the group in all media forums.

Message from Nurses across the U.S.:

During National Nurse's Week, in May 2001, we, Nurses from all over the United States, will be taking matters into our own hands on behalf of both you (the public), and ourselves, by marching on Washington DC and our State Capitols across the nation in protest over the state of healthcare in this country.,,,,,

This is a grass-roots effort by Nurses to bring national attention to the crisis the Nursing profession and direct-patient-care are in, as hospital administrators attempt to increase their profits by pushing Nurses into extinction.,,,,,,,,,,

There is something very wrong when hospital administrators are earning millions of dollars each, while at the same time hospital floors are closing down because the administrators wont spend the money to hire enough Nurses. They are collecting millions in salary and perks, while refusing to purchase enough supplies with which to care for the patients. Patients are being discharged sooner and sicker because they cost the hospital money to remain there,,,,,,,,,,,,.

In healthcare facilites across the country, nurses are being forced to care for too large a number of patients and are unable to provide them with all they need in the hospital. Too often there are only moments to spend with each patient because of the heavy workload the nurse is forced to accept, many times under protest, and with threat of disciplinary action hanging over her/his head if they refuse to accept this unsafe situation.,,,,,,,,,,,

As cost-cutting measures that save the hospital money and increase its profits, Professional Nurses are being replaced by other personnel such as nursing assistants. In some institutions medications are prepared and given by technicians rather than skilled Nurses. Nurses are being forced to work short-staffed and for excessive overtime hours under threat of being fired if they dont.... just because its cheaper than hiring additional permanent staff nurses.,,,,,,,,,,,,

WE ARE FRIGHTENED FOR OUR PATIENTS!!!

Unable to bear the stress and strain, Nurses are leaving their jobs in droves and are also leaving the profession of Nursing because of these unmanageable conditions. There are not enough new Nurses to replace us. Who will be there at your bedside to care for you (and us) in later years?,,,,,,,,,,

We want to make the public aware that these workplace issues are contributing to a decline in the quality of care you receive in the hospital. You deserve excellent Nursing care but with short-staffing and forced overtime, that is extremely difficult for us to provide. Short staffing and the excessive use of forced overtime which has Nurses regularly working 16 hour shifts or more, is a very dangerous practice. In fact, working excessive hours like that is against the law for truck drivers and pilots. Yet Nurses, who also hold the public's safety in their hands, are forced to work to exhaustion or be punished. Exhausted workers in any field are vulnerable to making a mistake. In Nursing, a mistake can have tragic and lasting effects...........

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS SITUATION ANY LONGER!!!

These deplorable workplace conditions are main reasons why new students are not choosing Nursing as a career, and experienced Nurses are leaving the profession for good..........

The Nurses of this country... YOUR Nurses... are outraged over their employer's careless disregard for your safety and the quality of care the Nurses themselves are able to provide under these circumstances........

We are going to Washington DC and our State Capitols in May, 2001 to let the public know what is really happening at their hospitals across the country and to demand that our elected officials hear our voice and take action to put the patient before profits and protect the profession of Nursing...........

To do this we need your help.............

The reason is simple:

You know us. We're your friends, neighbors, and family members. We've seen you through some of the the worst of times and we have been there for you every step of the way. Many of us are still there with you, providing your care at home. We want to continue to be there for you. We do not want to see the profession of Nursing die out............

If we disappear, so does the quality of patient care. We.... you and the Nurses... are in this together.............

We are asking your help. March with us in DC or with your Nurses at your State Capitol. If you cannot walk with us, please contact your elected State Officials, and Congressional Representatives............

Your speaking out on the risk to patient safety due to abusive management practices against the Nurses - all to save a dollar at your expense - will help us put a stop to this... will protect you during your hospital stay and will help take the Nursing Profession off the Critical List............

Please let us know if you will help............

Thank you for your support.

From your Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses across America. ************

For more information on the current nursing crisis and the situation today's nurses and patients are in, please contact:

United American Nurses
600 Maryland Avenue, SW
Suite 100 West
Washington, DC 20024
202-651-7000
202-651-7001 Fax
Http://www.UANnurse.org