March 14, 2012
APRN
OFFICERS
LATEST PEP EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT UPDATE
President:
Glenda Peters,
8E
In early February, Providence notified Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) of
Providence’s plan to eliminate the 10 percent PEP (Providence Easy Pay)
Discount.
Vice-President:
Philip D’Onofrio,
6E
As your leadership contacted many ONA members across Providence at other
facilities, it became very clear that many nurses were upset about this change.
Many nurses reminded us about the changes to the retirement benefits, the
health insurance, the clamp down on vacations so that EPIC can be implemented, and asked what is next?
Secretary:
Bobbi Rychlick,
RRT
Treasurer:
Jennifer Speer,
L&D
Members at Large:
Laura Fryburg,
IV Therapy
Pat Van Loo,
Nursing Service
Administration
Nurses suggested that ONA encourage people to pack their lunches and
organize potlucks. Some suggested that people de-activate their PEP cards.
Many nurses suggested that ONA organize a boycott.
When ONA leaders shared this with Providence administrators they told us they
were surprised because employees suggested eliminating this benefit as a way
to save money. They estimated that it will save approximately $700,000 regionwide, and they said it was likely that the savings gained would be reinvested into
the food service departments within Providence.
So here was our dilemma. Part of the role of ONA leadership is “choosing our
battles.” It means asking what is value of fighting, can we win, and if we win,
(continued on page 6)
THE NEW CONTRACTS
HAVE ARRIVED!
We are excited to announce the new contracts have been
printed! We are distributing contracts to members and fair
share payers via unit stewards and in-unit visits.
If you are paying as a member or fair share and have not
received a contract, please contact an officer, unit steward
or labor representative so we can get a copy to you. If you
are not paying dues, you can access and print a copy of
your contract at www.OregonRN.org.
Oregon Nurses Association ~ 18765 SW Boones Ferry ~ Tualatin, OR 97062 ~ 503.293.0011 ~ Fax 503.293.0013 ~ www.OregonRN.org
Sally LaJoie, Labor Relations Representative
[email protected]
503-293-0011 x 328
The Newsletter for Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Nurses
Page 2
STEWARDS’ COUNCIL IS IN FULL SWING BUT MORE NURSES NEEDED!
We now have 31 Stewards representing 16 units. Although we have made progress, we still have a ways to
go. Our goal is to have at least one steward per unit and shift. We do not have anyone for Emergency
Department, Main OR, 8W Peds OR, Pediatrics, 8W or 5W. We also need more nurses from day shift on 5E,
7W, 6W, 9E, 8E, and night shift on Labor and Delivery, NICU, Post partum, 5E, 7W, 8E and 9W.
For more information about the Stewards’ Council, visit your bargaining unit page at www.OregonRN.org,
choose Providence St. Vincent under ‘Find Your Bargaining Unit” and scroll down to “Steward Resource
Center.”
The Stewards’ Council is a great way to learn about the Oregon Nurses Association, connect with nurses in
other practice areas and help your coworkers. Our next quarterly stewards’ dinner will be on April 25. Dinners
are by invitation so if you want to attend, just email us at [email protected] so we can add you to the
list.
LABOR AND DELIVERY NURSES’ UNITY AN INSPIRATION
The labor and delivery unit has been very active in 2012. Labor and delivery nurses delivered a landmark
petition, attended open forums, formed a joint task force with a consultant retained to help with their issues,
and have joined together with inspiring solidarity.
For more updates on the unit, see the February 27 newsletter on your unit bulletin board or online at
www.OregonRN.org
JAN ROBINSON WINS PRIDE AWARD
Congratulations to Jan Robinson, the December 2011 PRIDE Award Recipient. Jan is a nurse on the rapid
response team and critical care float pool. Coworkers report that Jan is willing to help out in any situation,
brings a calming influence, and has a wealth of experiences which she freely shares with all.
In addition to being a stellar employee, Jan is a unit steward and active member of the ONA community.
Congratulations Jan!
REMINDER: USE THE PAYROLL EXCEPTION FORMS!
Have you worked consecutive weekends? You are entitled to 1.5 times your hourly rate for these hours
(unless you’ve signed a “weekend waiver”). If you worked these hours, be sure and fill out the form!
Have you worked off the clock after a shift? Or from home checking email, or responding to calls
from your manager? This is paid time. Nurses are hourly employees and it is against the rules for you to
work off the clock. You must report all the hours you work for the good of you and your employer. If you work
off the clock it also gives your manager an incomplete picture of how much is actually needed to budget to
run your unit, and creates an unfair disadvantage for those that do report all their hours – because they look
inefficient.
Oregon Nurses Association ~ 18765 SW Boones Ferry ~ Tualatin, OR 97062 ~ 503.293.0011 ~ Fax 503.293.0013 ~ www.OregonRN.org
Sally LaJoie, Labor Relations Representative
[email protected]
503-293-0011 x 328
The Newsletter for Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Nurses
Page 3
2012-2014 ONA/APRN
OFFICER ELECTIONS
Officer/bargaining team elections are upon us. Do you see policies that need to be changed to make patient
care or working as a nurse at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center (PSVMC) easier or better? Do you want
a more meaningful say in how ONA operates and what it prioritizes here at PSVMC? Are there things in the
contract you want to change or improve? Then nominate yourself or someone you know.
Every officer is automatically on the bargaining team. There are monthly officer meetings and frequent quick
meetings or phone calls with the ONA staff here at PSVMC. Clinical Ladder negotiations will begin in late
spring or early summer of 2012, and usually involves meeting weekly during negotiations. Bargaining for the
entire contract will not begin again until 2013.
PRESIDENT—Runs meetings of the officers. Oversees with the labor representative the day to day
operations of the union/association.
VICE-PRESIDENT—In case the president is absent, the vice-president shall perform the duties of the
president; and should the president’s position be vacated, the vice-president shall serve as the president until
the next election.
SECRETARY—Maintain minutes for all the officer meetings, coordinates elections, and conducts
correspondence as directed by the officers.
TREASURER—Has financial responsibility over the financial affairs of the ONA at PSVMC and keeps/
maintains our financial records.
MEMBER(S) AT LARGE—Reports to and is accountable to the executive committee, performs duties as
assigned by president and executive committee. (Note: there are two positions)
Please turn to page five for the nomination form.
You must be an ONA member in good standing to serve as an officer.
PROFESSIONAL NURSING CARE COMMITTEE
UPDATE AND MEMBERS NEEDED
We are the Professional Nursing Care Committee (PNCC) here at PSVMC and we are looking at nursing
practice issues and challenges you are facing.
We meet the FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH, from 8 – 10 a.m., in a conference room on the second
floor near the cafeteria.
In these meetings, we share information, analyze practice issues, and deliberate on recommendations for
improvement. The PNCC makes recommendations, when its process is concluding, to our CNO, Martie
Moore.
We are also collaboratively linked with PSVMC’s central partnership the hospital nurse staffing committee,
and other ongoing practice projects. Our role is to listen, recommend and follow up on issues that may not
have been resolved or are particularly complex.
We are also looking for a couple of new members. If interested please contact Debbie Gabel or Glenda
Peters.
Oregon Nurses Association ~ 18765 SW Boones Ferry ~ Tualatin, OR 97062 ~ 503.293.0011 ~ Fax 503.293.0013 ~ www.OregonRN.org
Sally LaJoie, Labor Relations Representative
[email protected]
503-293-0011 x 328
Page 4
The Newsletter for Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Nurses
MAGNET AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR STAFF NURSES
Many times I have heard staff says things such as, “We have to do that for Magnet, or Magnet requires this.”
After hearing statements like this, I have felt the need to clarify some common misperceptions about the
Magnet Recognition Program® and thought I would share with you what Magnet means to our hospital, and
should mean to you as a staff nurse.
The Magnet Recognition Program® was established by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in
1990, which is a branch of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) is a
member of the ANA and as a member of ONA, you reap the benefits of working for a Magnet hospital.
The Magnet Recognition Program® (Magnet), recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care,
nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Consumers rely on Magnet designation
as the ultimate credential for high quality nursing. Developed by the ANCC, Magnet is the leading source of
successful nursing practices and strategies worldwide.
When nurses say “We have to do that for Magnet,” I ask you to ask yourself, why you are not doing it for the
right reason, our patients. Providence St. Vincent supports best outcomes, this is an example of Magnet
criteria. Our hospital provides the “structure” so we can provide the best outcomes to our patients. As
nurses, we practice our profession because we wanted to make a difference in our patients’ lives. An
example of this is, zero ventilator associated pneumonias, yes we really have zero. What does this mean to
your patients? They have better outcomes; wouldn’t you want your family member to be in one of our critical
care areas where they have amazing outcomes?
How many of you have obtained your professional
certification, your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
through University of Great Falls? Reimbursement for our
certification exam and getting a hourly stipend, is an example
of ONA working with Providence to recognize our nurses for
their commitment to their profession. Our relationship with
the University of Great Falls is another example of our
organization making it easier to obtain a BSN.
The Magnet Model has five elements that are essential to all
magnet hospitals; (1) structural empowerment,
(2) transformational leadership, (3) new knowledge,
innovations and improvements, (4) exemplary professional
practice, and most important, (5) empirical outcomes. Under
each of these elements are the criteria we must demonstrate
when we submit our document. Our fourth re-designation
document is due May 2013. We achieved our first magnet
designation in 2000, at the time, the 23rd in the nation. There
are only 2 percent of hospitals nationwide that have achieved
magnet three times. You should be very proud you work for
one of those organizations.
Thank you to Debbie Sanchez, RN, BSN, CEN, for
contributing this article. Debbie is an Emergency Department
Charge Nurse, and the Magnet Program Director at
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
Correction: The 2011 Year in Review newsletter incorrectly
stated that Providence St. Vincent has achieved Magnet
Status four times. The correct number is three.
Oregon Nurses Association ~ 18765 SW Boones Ferry ~ Tualatin, OR 97062 ~ 503.293.0011 ~ Fax 503.293.0013 ~ www.OregonRN.org
Sally LaJoie, Labor Relations Representative
[email protected]
503-293-0011 x 328
Page 5
The Newsletter for Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Nurses
NOMINATION FORM
Treasurer:
President:
___________________________
__________________________
(Write in)
(Write in)
Member-at-Large
Vice President:
___________________________
(Write in)
___________________________
(Write in)
Secretary:
Member-at-Large
__________________________
___________________________
(Write in)
(Write in)
CONSENT TO RUN AND SERVE
If, nominated, I consent to run, and if elected, I consent to serve, for the following offices:
(List all that apply)
Print Name
Signature
Date
Please return this form to Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) by April 9.
You can mail it to 18765 SW Boones Ferry Road, Tualatin, Oregon 97062
or fax it in at (503) 293-0013 to the attention of Sally LaJoie
Elections will be held on May 9
Must be an ONA member in good standing to serve and to vote.
Oregon Nurses Association ~ 18765 SW Boones Ferry ~ Tualatin, OR 97062 ~ 503.293.0011 ~ Fax 503.293.0013 ~ www.OregonRN.org
Sally LaJoie, Labor Relations Representative
[email protected]
503-293-0011 x 328
The Newsletter for Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Nurses
LATEST PEP EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT UPDATE
Page 6
(continued from page 1)
is it significant? While ONA clearly heard from more nurses who were upset about the change than we
expected, ONA leaders also heard from nurses who did not think this was the fight we should be engaging
in at this time. For example, are enough nurses passionate about this that a boycott would work and could
be sustained? Would we look like the “bad guys” if our organized lack of patronage made us the cause of
cut backs or lay-offs in food service?
Providence has a duty to bargain with ONA over this change (that is why we were given notice), though
because the change comes in the middle of the contract our ability to impact that change through bargaining
is legally limited.
To that end, ONA staff approached all the Providence facilities and requested they delay implementation until contract negotiations begin. When the entire contract is open we have more legal options for
how to handle this take-away. We let the human resources director know that this was our desired solution
in letters sent around February 20.
Rather than agree to our suggestion to postpone, Providence, at every ONA facility not just St. Vincent,
explained in a letter the need for the change “saving $250 million over three years from operations,” and
their desire to implement this for every employee not just the unionized nurses. Then they reiterated they
would meet and bargain with us as is lawfully required before March 1, the day they choose to start the
discount’s elimination.
Without impugning Providence’s motives, it is very hard for a union to “mitigate” and “bargain” over one
issue that emerges in the middle of the contract. Providence understands this. That is why we wanted the
delay so we could do a better job of dealing with this concern via the bargaining process.
Rather than wasting everyone’s time, we have chosen to forgo bargaining as we believe at this time that
have very little hope of achieving an outcome that will mitigate this discount’s elimination. The other
Providence facilities represented by ONA are doing the same, but those that will be bargaining in the fall
intend to bargain and mitigate it then when they have a greater chance of success.
What is this: QR code.
A QR code (abbreviated from Quick
Response code) is a type of matrix barcode
(or two dimensional code) that you use with
your smartphone.
ONA’s
QR Code
How to Use: With a QR code reader app on
your smart phone, take a picture or scan the
QR code to open the ONA website in your
phone’s web browser. Many smart phones
come with the app pre-installed, but others
you will have to download a QR code reader
app.
Our Website
has it All!
Did you know that your
bargaining unit’s page has
an archive of newsletter
articles, frequent updates
from around the house, a
link to your contract, how to
contact officers, and more?
Go to www.OregonRN.org, select
Providence St. Vincent under
“Find Your Bargaining Unit”
Oregon Nurses Association ~ 18765 SW Boones Ferry ~ Tualatin, OR 97062 ~ 503.293.0011 ~ Fax 503.293.0013 ~ www.OregonRN.org
Sally LaJoie, Labor Relations Representative
[email protected]
503-293-0011 x 328