Bargaining Update #6
Today I was invited to the bargaining table to hear testimony from our UCMC nurses on staffing and safety at the medical center. I was so impressed by the preparation, candor and professionalism of the nurses who took the time to present today. Specifically, I would like to thank the following nurses:
- Brandi McNally and Jason Smith: Adult ED
- Drew Castenson: 3SW
- Emily Radziejeski, Megan Moriarity and Marie LaFontant: Burn ICU
- Kim Neven: Med-Surg Supplemental Float Pool
- Geraldine Paclibar and Michael Wendorf: 4 West
- Hannah Dy, Lauren Hitzeman, Joanna Mai, Colleen Caulfield, Jake Robertson: CCD OR
- Dominque Diaz, Kathy Llanes, Anne Finnelly: Cardiac Cath Lab
- Sybil Caruthers: Ambulatory Nursing, Primary Care Group
- Kathryn Dvorak: Transplant
- Lisa Sampson and Anna Lendabarker: Perinatal Services
- Amber Turi, Lorena Vega, Andrea Perez and Erica Frias: MICU
- Brigitt Manson, Comer 5
- Lea Sargent King: 4SE (reading for Megan Henry: 4NE)
Following the testimony, I was able to return to the table with the UCMC Bargaining Team to hear the NNU’s proposals related to nurse staffing. The NNU passed proposals on unassigned charge duties, float rules, developing an OR RN Scrub team for L&D and building the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) program, among others. We had a good discussion about many of these proposals and key points.
Additionally, earlier today, we passed a proposal to the NNU to eliminate the two-year waiting period for nursing tuition reimbursement by moving to a network of 12 schools. We know that the two-year waiting period has been a concern brought forward by some of our newer staff members. UCMC also passed a proposal that would allow nurses to remain on-board in an IHR (in-house registry) status while receiving 100% tuition reimbursement to attend school to become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), in return for two years of full-time employment at UCMC as a CRNA after graduation. Building our own CRNA pipeline for the future will be a key to our successful growth in perioperative and procedural services. Our organization consistently pays over $1 million every year toward tuition for our nurses to grow professionally, and we are committed to see that trend grow and continue in the years to come.
Our next bargaining session is next Tuesday, November 7th. The team will take time to review all of the NNU’s proposals from today in depth so that we are ready to respond when we meet again next week.
Emily Chase, PhD, RN, NE-BC, FACHE,
Chief Nursing Officer,
Senior Vice-President, Patient Care Services