SEPTEMBER 2019
A NEWSLETTER FOR NYSNA RNs AT WESTCHESTER MEDICAL CENTER
Nurses are VITAL! Nurses—from frontline staff nurses, to nurse managers, to everyone in between—are a vital part of any healthcare institution. Positive patient outcomes, patient experience, HCAP scores, and public perception are all shaped by how well the nursing team functions. That is why the NYSNA nurses at Westchester Medical Center are launching a new campaign called Nurses are VITAL. Local Bargaining Unit President, David Long, RN, explained, “We are some of the most educated and experienced nurses anywhere. We want to support excellent practice. We want everyone to be at his or her best and show this institution that nurses are vital.” In 2015, Westchester Med created a five-year strategic plan that was centered on VITAL values that should guide the institution. Those values were: Value (Everyone), Integrity, Transformation and Innovation, Accountability, and Leadership & Learning. Although leadership intended to launch a VITAL employee morale program shortly after, it never really got off the ground.
“We need to increase the morale and mutual respect at Westchester Med,” explained David. “NYSNA wants nurses to feel vital, empowered and supported. We cannot continue to wait for management to make us feel appreciated—we need to start recognizing ourselves as vital.” NYSNA nurses rolled out the Nurses are VITAL campaign at the annual hospital picnic on September 25, distributing stickers and engaging members. NYSNA Executive Committee members and Delegates are beginning to walk the units to connect with nurses and discuss how we can best support each other. Members are encouraged to reach out to the Committee or your Delegate (listed on the back page of this newsletter) with your ideas on how we can become even more proud of where we work. The goal of NYSNA leadership at Westchester is to have a transparent and cooperative relationship with management where everyone can feel vital, respected, and proud to be part of the team. We are feeling optimistic that the Nurses are VITAL campaign is a step in the right direction.
