An open letter to Allina leadership (Page 126)

June 21, 2010
To: Ken Paulus, Jeff Peterson, Terry Graner, and Kevin Graham

When you justify your request for cuts of my benefits as a necessary measure to exercise fiscal responsibility, I ask that you exhibit the same responsibility by taking the same percentage raises, the same pension cuts, the same hour/FTE cuts as those asked of me.

When you claim the need for “belt tightening” as a resource stewardship measure, I ask that you restrain from duplicating serivces, spend on new faciilties, or enhance existing facilities with expensive cosmetic improvements.  I also ask that you consider your staff a valuable resource in your organization.  You might also want to curtail the catering and extra perks to the Command Center if fiscal responsibility is your main objective.

When you welcome us and state your appreciation for nursing, I ask that you do not illegally lock out my brothers and sisters from work, treat us like criminals, and utilize security as means of intimidation.  Do not portray us to the media as a group of greedy individuals.  Your words must be consistent with your actions if your want our trust.

When you feel the need to remind me of the need for professionalism, I ask you to remember that I am the one caring for these patients 24/7, I am the one making excuses concerning your lack of bedside manner or your current unavailability, I am the primary CAREGIVER of those patients.   Do not demean me and yourself by taking the patronizing attitude of reminding me that patients come first.

When you try to incite my fears and tell me that in this economy I am lucky to have a job.  I ask you to remember the contributions I have made to Allina.   My willingness to take voluntary leaves of absence when needed, matched with my ability to pick up overtime, has not only allowed you to meet the bottom line, but also allowed you to meet our community needs.  I have demonstrated my flexibility, but there are limits.

When you feel the need to communicte your disappointment for those willing to defend safe staffing ratios or when you question my commitment to my patients, I ask you to remember the unsafe events / staffing of June 10 2010, despite overstaffing to levels above and beyond what we are asking in our current proposals, we all know that things did not go as well as you claim.  Please do not insult my intelligence by claiming otherwise.

When you state your support for the Nursing Department, I ask you that, in the future, you have the same visibility as the one given to the replacement staff on June 10, 2010.  Some of us have worked here for years and still do not know what you look like.  Don’t be shy, visit sometime and maybe you will gain a better understanding of our work and contributions.

Respectfully,

Abbott Northwestern RN