I could not have a stronger opinion about this issue.
I am an RN and I just returned to MN after working for 4 years in Texas -a “right to work” state.
I have never in my ENTIRE nursing career felt so powerless to protect my patients. We all worked grueling hours, had grossly inadequate numbers of staff, and absolutely no support network.
It was made clear by non-medical management that we were to do the job and not complain. The message was clear:” You are not valued as an employee and we don’t care about the patient’s welfare. Just keep them alive until discharge. If you cannot put up and shut up then leave and we will replace you.”
I am not exaggerating. My co-workers were stressed beyond belief as we all tried to provide quality healthcare.
We, RN’s, must have a voice in the care of our patient’s. We must have a leadership that listens and responds. The patient’s are the purpose – they must be the most important people to ALL who are involved in their care.
I felt like an ISLAND more often than you could fathom. We would be working with a population that was acutely ill and if we got into trouble there were no resources to come to our assistance. That is a HORRIBLE experience!!
Right to Work is no more than another force to DEPLETE the morale of employess and COMPROMISE the quality of patient care in every aspect.
IT IS VITAL THAT YOU VOTE NO, NO, NO…!! This would be a harmful move on the part of Minnesota. The repercussions would spell disaster.
I am so PROUD to be part of this Minnesota Workforce where we are recognized for being Top Notch in Health Care in the nation. Let us never even consider stepping down to the level of a state like Texas. That would be a travesty, Let us stand as a state and honor all the Minnesotans who work so hard everyday to make this state GREAT!
Sincerely,
Michelle Donovan RN
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Minneapolis, MN