JULY 2019
A NEWSLETTER FOR NYSNA RNs AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/MAYORALS
NYSNA Negotiating Committee Gets Down to Business Coming off a positive bargaining session at NYSNA headquarters, the NYSNA Negotiating Committee headed downtown to NYC Health + Hospitals headquarters to bargaining on July 11 and 12. We delved into NYSNA’s proposals and had a robust discussion about safe staffing, self-scheduling, workplace violence and safe patient handling. On July 11, the discussion focused on safe staffing. NYSNA held up the recently executed NYC private sector hospitals’ contract as an example of what could be achieved in terms of safe staffing ratios/grids. We also pointed to the ideal staffing ratios per unit contained in the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act. Management was receptive to what nurses said about workload and staffing problems, and they recognized that staffing must be improved at NYC H+H. The City is currently fulfilling our information request about its current staffing levels, and we anticipate continuing to make progress on safe staffing. On July 12, H+H gave presentations responding to several NYSNA proposals. We discussed the new Clarvia selfscheduling system, which is currently being rolled out in H+H facilities. Ideally, this system will allow members to have more flexibility and autonomy in their schedules. Nurses emphasized that this new system could also be used to schedule and monitor safe staffing on the units.
NYSNA has a data request outstanding about workplace violence throughout H+H, and we pressed management on their definition of workplace violence. Management also proposed creating and activating Safe Patient Handling Committees. Nurses emphasized that it was important to create a good process with union input to select who would serve as “evaluators” on these committees. “We are making good progress, and I’m looking forward to digging in deeper on the issues that are specific to Mayorals nurses,” said Kesha Morris, RN. In negotiations, the employer and the union exchange, review, and respond to each other’s proposals until the parties mutually agree. These agreements are called tentative agreements, because they are not final until membership votes on the whole contract at the end of negotiations. Judith Cutchin, RN and President of NYSNA’s NYC H+H/ Mayorals Executive Council, said, “Although we do not have any tentative agreements yet, we are feeling positive about the course of bargaining so far, and the Negotiating Committee remains resolute regarding our overall demands from our contract proposals.”
SAVE THE DATES! Next Bargaining Sessions: Thursday, September 5 Friday, September 6
WE ARE NURSES, WE ARE NYSNA!
Nurses Gain Skills in Safe Patient Handling On June 20, NYSNA hosted a Safe Patient Handling workshop at its Midtown headquarters, attended by several NYC H+H nurses. The workshop was geared towards demonstrating safe lifting techniques and equipment, and discussing strategies for creating a safer workplace. Liz Hodgson, RN, an ER nurse at Woodhull, said, “We don’t have any of this equipment. If we did, it would make transfers a lot easier and a lot safer—for the patients and for myself.”
H+H nurses test out a motorized sit-to-stand
Healthcare workers experience some of the highest rates of musculoskeletal injuries of any profession, and the vast majority of these injuries are caused by the manual lifting, transferring and repositioning of patients. That’s why NYSNA works to educate nurses and healthcare facilities about how safe patient handling can reduce workplace injuries and bring safe and dignified care to patients.
Patrecia Bailey, RN, who works on the ventilator floor of Henry J. Carter said, “It would make a big difference for the mobility and safety of the patient, and also dignity, because the patients can feel more independent.” Check the NYSNA website for upcoming trainings near you at: https://www.nysna.org/nysna-health-and-safety-workshops Or email healthandsafety@nysna.org for more information.
Helping Nurses Heal It is no surprise to nurses—veteran or brand new—that our jobs are stressful. We deal with the physical health of patients, as well as the emotional health of patients and their families every day. With that stress and the stress that comes from understaffing, we can sometimes neglect our own emotional well-being. Nurses at Coney Island Hospital are bringing the emotional well-being of nurses into focus. During the hospital’s Nurses’ Week celebration earlier this summer, a new Serenity Room was opened. The room is a quiet place for nurses to relax and decompress, or to huddle with other nurses for mutual support. “When you’re dealing with a death or a difficult situation, having an air-conditioned place for nurses to rest and recuperate and come back to the floor refreshed is important,” explained Ray Briggs, RN and LBU President. “This is a space away from the chatty break room; a place where nurses can quietly bond together or restore their energy in solitude during a tough day.”
Initially, management did not see a need for a dedicated serenity room, but NYSNA nurses were able to quickly bring them around. Together, we celebrated the opening of the room at a ribbon cutting ceremony with the engineers and IT team who helped transform the room into a healing space. Briggs, RN concluded, “This is a room that nurses can call our own. We hope this new space benefits individual nurses, as well as the nursing team. In healthcare, if you’re not working as a team, you’re not getting it done.”
JULY 2019
A Newsletter for NYSNA RNs at NYC Health + Hospitals
Heroes of the Hospital and the Community For years, Cassia has volunteered to provide services for seniors in need, like bringing food and clothing, and interpreting for people who do not speak English when they go to important appointments, such as the immigration office or social security office. A native of Brazil, she speaks Portuguese, is a certified Spanish interpreter, and speaks some French.
Congratulations to Cassia Saboia, RN, Head Nurse, Harlem Hospital. Cassia was recently honored by the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey at Newark’s 5th Annual Senior Citizens Unsung Heroes/Heroines Awards, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Newark’s seniors.
“I got involved with some friends doing this kind of service—and it helps that I have a pick-up truck to drive and drop off things that people need, including medical supplies,” said Cassia. “Not everyone has insurance or the money to buy medical supplies. Sometimes we’ll have a campaign so many people can donate to buy medical equipment that’s expensive.” Cassia is living proof that being a nurse and caring for others is more than just a job—it is a way of life. Her advocacy for those in need does not stop at the doors of her hospital—it touches the lives of countless seniors in her community.
We Nurses Rise With hard work, inspiration, and the mutual support we give each other as nurses, there’s nothing we cannot achieve! NYSNA offers congratulations to Rose Holmes, DNP, MSN, RN, a recent graduate of Hunter College and the recipient of the Excellence in Clinical Practice award. Rose began her healthcare career as a patient care technician in 2004 and quickly succeeded in earning her RN, MSN, NP-BC, and now DNP. While working nights at Bellevue, she quietly pursued her education during the day. “I’ve always had a drive to go to the next level, because I believed I had more to offer,” explained Rose. “I was motivated by being able to access NYSNA educational benefits, which helped offset the cost of tuition. I also got inspiration from my friends and mentors along the way.” One of her friends and mentors is Marina Alexander, RN, from Harlem Hospital. The two nurses met when Bellevue nurses, including Rose, were displaced after Superstorm Sandy. Rose practiced for a short time at Harlem, and focused one of her school projects on Harlem Hospital.
“Rose is the one who inspires me,” said Marina. “She works so hard and has accomplished so much. She is an example that you can do anything you put your mind to, if you just take it piece by piece until you reach your goal.” Rose is looking forward to practicing as an NP in ambulatory care and internal medicine at Metroplitan Hospital starting this summer.
UPCOMING EVENTS
(For more information or to register, ask your NYSNA Rep or visit www.nysna.org/events)
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INPATIENT OB NURSING CERT. REVIEW
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HEART FAILURE NURSING CERT. REVIEW
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MEDICAL MISSION & DISASTER RELIEF
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MEDICAL MISSION & DISASTER RELIEF
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PEDIATRIC NURSING CERT. REVIEW
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PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW
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MEDICAL MISSION & DISASTER RELIEF
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PEDIATRIC CCRN CERT. REVIEW
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PERIOPERATIVE NURSING CERT. REVIEW
July 29, NYSNA NYC Office August 5 & 6, NYSNA NYC Office August 12-18, Jamaica August 21-29, Philippines September 5 & 6, NYSNA NYC Office September 9, NYSNA NYC Office September 22-30, Zimbabwe Sept. 23 & 24, NYSNA NYC Office October 3 & 4, NYSNA NYC Office
SAVE THE DATE! NYSNA CONVENTION OCTOBER 29 & 30 ALBANY, NY
NYC H+H & MAYORAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAIRS RNS: • Naomi Greene, Administration for Children’s Services • Todd Schultz, Bellevue Hospital Center • Jovana Woodley, Coler Specialty Hospital & Nursing Facility • Ray Briggs, Coney Island Hospital • Audrey Morgan, Correctional Health Services • Florence Exinor, Cumberland D & T Center • Keysha Morris, Department of Correction • Theresa Minarik, Department of Sanitation • Patricia Morris, Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing & Rehab Ctr • Deborah Gatson, East NY D & T Center • Pauline Williams, Elmhurst Hospital Center • James Ambery, Fire Department • Kittie McGee, Harlem Hospital Center • Grace Lee, Gouverneur Healthcare Services • Peter Pacheco, Henry J. Carter Specialty Hosp. & Nursing Facility • Rivka Elyahu, HHC Health and Home Care • Yelena Levin, Human Resources Administration • Mary Simon, Jacobi Medical Center • Curlean Duncan, Kings County Hospital Center • Marsha Wilson, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center • Charles Mighty, Metropolitan Hospital Center • Nicole Smith Ferguson, Morrisania D & T Center • Lynne Sanderson Burgess, Police Department • Sharon Greenaway, North Central Bronx Hospital • Lindella Artman, Queens Hospital Center • Stephen Nartey, Renaissance Healthcare Network • Kimberly Yeo, Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center & Home • Natalie Solomon, Segundo Ruiz Belvis D&TC • Judith Cutchin, Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center
GET ANSWERS/STAY IN TOUCH Dental benefit questions: www.Aetna.com, 877-238-6200 Prescription benefit questions: www.optumrx.com, 888-691-0130 For all other benefits: www.ASOnet.com, 888-692-7671 NYSNA NYC Office: www.nysna.org, 212 785 0157 NYSNA Board of Directors: www.nysna.org/board-directors
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