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Dian Palmer: Nurses deliver quality, serve communities

Letter to the editor  —  5/10/2008 7:20 am

Dear Editor: This week we celebrate National Nurses Week. Nursing is often described as an art and a science that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers.

The International Council of Nurses selected "Delivering Quality, Serving Communities" as this year's theme and celebrates primary health care nurses who care for patients in a variety of settings including emergency rooms, schools, nursing homes and home-based care.

Unfortunately, we face barriers in providing the highest possible care, and we face unjust hurdles to providing affordable care. Poor staffing practices have led to dangerous conditions in many hospitals. Mandatory overtime is now part of a management strategy in many facilities to reduce direct-care staff. Nurses and other health care professionals across the state report that they are forced to work overtime when they are exhausted after 12-hour shifts.

It is disheartening that we live in one of the richest countries in the world, and yet 47 million people are without health insurance. It is difficult to provide care when parents must make decisions on whether to pay for medical care or provide food for their family.

That is why thousands of nurses across Wisconsin have united with SEIU Healthcare to change the direction of our health care system. SEIU Healthcare is the nation's largest health care workers union, with over 1 million nurses and home health care aides.

In Wisconsin, nurses are talking with legislators about a ban on mandatory overtime for health care workers and about the need for comprehensive health care reform. SEIU nurses in Madison have set up collaborative committees on nurse practice and patient care. We have negotiated a ban on forced overtime at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, and are making improvements for safe and adequate staffing.

Take time this week to thank a nurse, and support the members of SEIU Healthcare as we continue to deliver quality care and serve our communities.

Dian Palmer RN

president, SEIU Healthcare District 1199 Wisconsin

Letter to the editor  —  5/10/2008 7:20 am