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Power in numbers! Pipestone nurses speak up and build community support around facility concerns By Lisa Sneller, RN
On August 28, we did something unprecedented. Pipestone County Medical Center (PCMC) nurses unified and took a stand against our hospital’s CEO by presenting at the Pipestone County Board of Commissioners meeting. Nearly 20 of us showed up and spoke out, with Lacey Thomson, RN, representing all of us in her testimony. Some of the items we brought to the Commissioners’ attention included: the lack of communication by the hospital administration to staff and patients surrounding Dr. Scott’s termination, the difficulty applicants are having when applying for vacant positions, the continual short staffing and ‘do more with less’ attitude, and the overall unhealthy culture inside of PCMC. The community response has been nothing short of fantastic! They showed up and spoke out too. They also hit social media and have been buzzing about their experiences at PCMC. The consistent message is that the frontline care is great, but the overall general operation of the facility is difficult and messy. Examples range from calling in to schedule an appointment to showing up and being sent to the ER and of course, showing up to OB/Gyn and not seeing the provider that they were scheduled to see. Next, we will plan ways to stay in the forefront of the Commissioners’ minds. We will continue to go to County Board meetings and hospital board meetings. We will stay present on social media. And we will continue to talk because, even in this technology-savvy world, good old conversation still works!
It’s time to demand from page 3
assurance body. MNA staff will assist with this step to provide the greatest protection afforded to you as a union nurse. Elected officials who are responsible to write and enforce laws which protect their constituents, and their communities, can work with you to make necessary changes. Your patients, your communities and your families are counting on you to do what’s necessary to care for yourself and one another to survive the severity of this decompensating system you work in every day. Share your stories and experiences with one another and your communities. And most importantly, stand together by participating in actions, signing petitions, walking the picket line, and getting involved in contract negotiations. Be ready for the fights ahead and prepare for what’s to come, and believe in the power and strength that comes from collective action. “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” Frederick Douglass Nurses, it’s time to demand.
