NNOC RNs Propose Relief for ICU Tripling-

NNOC RNs Propose Relief for ICU Tripling--MANAGEMENT DOES NOT AGREE—
RNs Refer to Federal Mediation
“RMC ICU RNS were tripled an average of over 500 hours per month over the last
three months” –ICU Staff meeting announcement
July 24, 2014-- ICU RNs, Carolyn Waldrop and Peggy Sandles, in the Union Staffing Committee (SC)
quarterly meeting, told manager: ”Every RN is overworked when census is so high, you are not meeting
us halfway.
The Union’s review of MULTIPLE ADOs and other evidence shows: consistent deviations from the staffing grids, frequent tripling, RNs quadrupled during meal periods or taking up to six patients during meal
periods, missing meal periods & breaks and high turnover rates. The RN SC and Professional Practice
Committee (PPC) have proposed multiple ways to address inappropriate staffing in the ICU.
Union Proposed:
 Peak Census bonus-for additional shifts above all wages & differentials- Feb 2014, July 18, 2014
 Regularly Assigned Resource RN-in addition to staffing grid, not assigned a team, scheduled 12
hours, and earns extra pay-Aug 22, 2013, July 18&24, 2014
 Various Incentives: hiring bonus, referral bonus, & extra shift differentials-July 18
 No floating of ICU RNs-when all RNs are maxed at 1:2
 DIVERT the ER - when ICU RN is tripled.
 Call ALL ICU RNs when staff is needed.
 Require management Charge RNs to adjust schedules and work.
Management Responses in part:
ICU Director:
 Is not informed of or doesn’t hear of tripling- in real time.
 No one calls her. It’s the Charge RN’s responsibility to call her.
 Isn’t receiving alerts from Supervisors or Charge RNs when being tripled.
 Wants RNs to document time on ADOs you called Charge RN/Supervisor & what was said.
 Requests RNs call ICU Manager & ICU Director first-before they call the Administrator on Call.
 Will check on paying Resource RN more.
 New hires and contract labor RNs are coming.
Other Management:
 We [RMC] are not utilizing & exhausting all of our resources well.
 RNs are not working their commitments.
 Managers are meeting quarterly to review the hire ahead program.
July 24, 2014: In Staffing Committee meeting, Jennifer Clark made a presentation regarding 3N not
being staffing in compliance with the staffing grid and staffing not being according to acuity. Her multiple points were sent to the CNO and Hospital Staffing Committee Chair, Dain Sisk. Management agreed
to correct Charge RNs refusing to accept RNs ADOs. The RNs proposed: Adding a nurse at all census
points, which require each RN to start at 5.0 patients or greater, and a Resource RN Assignment Proposal. Pictured: Cathy Stephenson RN LDRP Staffing Committee Rep, and Jennifer Clark RN, Medical
Care, Nurse Rep.
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The RN staffing Committee notified management that the hospital’s non-compliance with
the staffing grids has been referred to Federal Mediation.
According to the NNOC/NN union contract, Article Staffing Committee, a mediator will be appointed
through Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The Union’s proposals will be presented by RNs. Also
present will be an NNOC labor representative. We’ll keep you posted when the dates are set.
Union Filed Grievance for eight newly hired RMC RNs – Wins Right for RNs to Select Health
Insurance of their Choice -- Results in Major Financial Savings
Eight newly hired nurses from ER, Float Pool, 4N, and ICU—formerly Research College of Nursing Students, understood from the hospital orientation that since it was late in the benefit year, it was not necessary for them to do the PHA. As a result, the group received the default coverage for health insurance.
They were not able to choose the level of health insurance they wished; not eligible to earn wellness
credits; not eligible to complete the HCA wellness program requirements, and would have paid $650
more for medical coverage for the year because they would not have proved they do not smoke, until,
Surgery Nurse Rep Marie Barrentine learned of the situation and filed a grievance on behalf of the RNs
and the Union—and won!
Marie arranged a grievance resolution meeting with management and the nurses. RMC investigated and
upheld the grievance:
 An enrollment window was opened and the Nurses were allowed to select from all three available
medical plans.
 Tobacco premium was waved for 2014.
 Their coverage was retro-active for re-processing of claims.
New RNs who attended health insurance selection grievance: Angie Hart, Michael Cantu, Alyssa Agard,
and Courtney Hammond. See Article 13, Benefits, in your union contract to learn more. The RN’s participation helped to achieve a settlement and they are pleased that this has saved them so much money.
MMC and RMC RNs are Eligible to Receive Referral Bonuses of up to $3000—NNOC Nurse
Reps and Representatives from both Hospitals held Expedited Joint Meeting August 6,
2014.
Email sent from HR on August 7, 2014 explained the bonus details. Applicants must accept a position in
August or September. Referring RNs receive up to $3000 for FT positions and $1500 for PT positions
(less deductions). Learn more about the wage protections in your union contract. Read the Article-Wages,
Section-Minimum Rates. Let us know if you have questions regarding obtaining the bonus.
Seven Healthcare Organizations on This Year's Fortune 500 List June 04, 2014
Fortune has released it’s annual list of the 500 companies that generated the most revenue in the previous fiscal year. This year, the list contains seven healthcare organizations. Nashville, Tenn. based HCA
Holdings outranked all seven. It was No. 79 on the list. The organization generated $38 billion in revenues
and had $1.6 billion in profits.
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