Hmmm, you Barb and Sandra are amazing. Both being active in the union and doing what needs to be done! How sensible. I had drifted away from the union idea and hadn't been a member for ages, thinking that the union didn't have midwifery issues at heart and so was no longer relevant to me. It never occurred to me to become more active in the union, which would have been a far better plan I realise now. A position I now realise was the result of my version of learned helplessness, didn't think I could make a difference through that pathway.
It has only been since coming in out of the wilderness (homebirth practice) and seeing how it is for my colleagues and students, not to mention the director of nursing who had been sidelined so much from the role of managing nursing (and midwifery)and who has been subjected to corporate bullying... grrrr... that I felt moved to do something strategically intelligent instead of whinging and/or feeling aggrieved (which was VERY tempting and which I am still seeking to avoid doing :-) The position of the Realnurses team on the many complex issues facing our twin professions also gives me real hope. We can make a difference. Interesting looking at Victorian facts and stats about ratios for example - read on if you are interested... in solidarity ;-) Carolyn Hastie Council candidate, Realnurses and Midwives team (NSWNA Election June 03) www.realnurses.net I thought you would be interested in what is happening about ratios, so have included the following information: The Realnurses team are committed to delivering mandatory, enforceable nurse to patient ratios encompassing acuity and safe skill mix. This will be done in every sector - not just the public sector And this is only the start of our campaign to make nurses work easer, safer and more enjoyable. The Real FACTS about ratios Fact: Ratios have seen 2650 nurses return to the public sector in Victoria Fact: Victorian universities have seen a 26.5% increase in nursing enrolments since ratios were introduced Fact: Victorian employers argued that they would need between 800 and 1200 extra nurses, which they claimed would be impossible to get. In fact 2650 nurses returned Fact: In the Victorian ratios case the employer argued that they would need to close up to 1200 beds. They got the extra nurses despite the global nursing shortage and the mass bed closures did not eventuate Fact: The majority of wards and units in Victoria have now met the ratio requirements while NSW struggles with a nursing shortage Fact: Ratios are now in use in City, Regional and Rural areas of Victoria Fact: Ratios are being used successfully in a wide variety of clinical settings including medical, surgical, ED, midwifery, OT, ICUs, Rehabilitation, CCUs, Palliative Care and Special Care Nurseries Fact: Ratios in Victoria are minimum staffing levels. They also take into account skill mix and acuity of patients. Agreements have been signed in some areas to give specific wards higher ratios Fact: As part of the ratios case in Victoria, nurses were awarded 3 days paid professional leave Fact: The Judges in the ratios case stated that ratios had to be met through the employment of permanent nursing staff Fact: The Judges ordered the employer to employ an additional 50 FTE CNEs and an additional 50 FTE CNCs Fact: In Victoria ratios have improved roster planning Fact: Ratios are enforceable and guarantee nurses appropriate and safe staffing levels Fact: In Victoria, 'Patient Dependency Systems' were tried and discarded because they were not enforceable and management did not follow them Fact: Management in Victoria can no longer keep beds open on a promise that they will find more nurses later in the shift Fact: The Victorian model of ratios has been such a huge success that models are being introduced in Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, California USA, Massachusetts USA, Maine USA and are being looked at in New Zealand. ANF Victoria research is showing that ratios are responsible for: 1. Reduction in staff turnover 2. Reduction in sick leave 3. Improved morale 4. Increased graduate confidence because of suitably resourced preceptors 5. A decline in workplace injuries These facts are from the ANF Victoria website www.anfvic.asn.au and from the AIRC Victorian ratios decision. Please take the time to check the website and see for yourself. What About NSW Professor John Dwyer, Professor of Medicine, University of New South Wales and Clinical Director of programs for Medicine and Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, said as part of his evidence in the 'Whats a Nurse Worth' case: 'Now I know the argument is if we specify the ratio, given the number of nurses we don't have, we would have to close a lot of beds but the argument can be put the other way, until tested no one can give the answer'. The Realnurses Team say it is time to test the argument. He went on to say: 'We have heard in Victoria where ratios were introduced the (sic) prophets of doom who said that would mean a decrease in the number of beds you will be able to run have been found wanting. Nurses are voting with their feet and coming back into the system because of ratios. I believe for my sort of hospital this would be a very important issue.' Why has NSW waited for so long for workload management? . The Realnurses team are committed to the introduction of nurse to patient ratios encompassing skill mix and acuity in all sectors . The Realnurses team are committed to ratios because they give nurses mandatory enforceable staffing levels not just a daily dispute system . The Realnurses Team are committed to nurse to patient ratios because dependency systems alone are not working -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
