Parkview Nurses Win a Voice in Patient Care – February 16, 2008
February 2008
Choosing courage over fear after a contentious campaign, a strong majority of the 257 nurses at Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside voted overwhelmingly to join UNAC/UHCP, gaining a voice in patient care."My colleagues and I want to create a work environment that empowers us to do what is in the best interest of our patients and profession," said Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse Deirdre Kirkwood. "Now we can work collaboratively with management, as equals, to continuously improve Parkview."
ER nurse Don Griffin added, "Being in a union is going to help build Parkview into a better hospital. Now we have the support we need to make life better for ourselves and our patients."
By voting to join UNAC/UHCP, the nurses will have a voice in providing consistent, high-quality healthcare for their patients. They will have the opportunity to communicate on a level playing field with hospital administration about several issues that directly impact patient care, such as productivity, patient morbidity and employee turnover. Research shows that turnover decreases in hospitals where employees have a union. Now Parkview will have a competitive edge compared to other hospitals vying to attract health care workers amid a serious nursing shortage.
The nurses will now be going to the bargaining table with Parkview administrators to determine the best ways to improve Parkview and the care it provides its patients.
"Nurses are the first line of defense in healthcare," said UNAC/UHCP President Kathy Sackman , RN. "They know best what their patients need and are deeply committed to providing the highest quality of care. Now that they are able to speak up for themselves and their patients, Parkview nurses will be able to help the administration improve the care the hospital provides to its patients."
Additional Resources:
Read the article published in the Feb. 18 edition of The Press-Enterprise, "Riverside's Parkview Hospital Nurses Vote to Join Union"