 PR blitz planned to sway lawmakers PEF nurses launch campaign to end short staffing By DARCY WELLS “Critical condition” are the words used to describe direct-care nurse staffing levels at facilities and institutions across the state of New York. PEF’s Executive Board approved at it’s November meeting, a $400,000 budget to launch a 2006 nurse staffing campaign that will, for the first time, incorporate radio and television ads and a public hearing before state lawmakers. “The pressing issues of mandatory overtime and profound understaffing has plagued the nursing profession for years,” said PEF President Roger Benson. “This campaign focuses on getting that message across to the public, policymakers and lawmakers to influence changes that will result in solutions to this crisis once and for all,” Benson said. A workgroup consisting of PEF nurse leaders, labor-management chairs, regional coordinators and statewide officers and staff have developed a plan that starts with input from nurses who are on the frontlines. “The input from nurses is imperative,” said Debbie Egel, co-chair of PEF’s Statewide Nurses Committee. She said the information collected from the nurses will help direct the campaign. PEF, with the support of AFT, will commission a telephone survey in December (see back cover) to gather information directly from nurses on recruitment and retention problems. Campaign plans Meetings are planned across the state to promote and educate members on the campaign while also soliciting comments on nurses’ issues. Regional nurse forums are being scheduled to provide a direct line of communication between nurses and their local legislators. “It’s a very exciting campaign,” said Joyce Degenhardt, PEF Region 1 coordinator and Nurses Committee member. “To start this in a year when we are electing a governor and Legislature gives us momentum and the ability to have an impact on the legislative items,” Degenhardt said. The campaign will include postcards, faxes and letters to editors and legislators combined with a limited radio and TV advertising campaign in the spring which will lead up to a nurses’ rally and public hearing on limiting mandatory overtime. “I think public relations is going to be one of the key elements,” said Dee Dodson, PEF Region 12 coordinator and Nurses Committee member. “It’s how we package our message,” she said. “We need the support of the public; we need the public to understand and to realize this is a crisis.” A paramount issue “Nurse staffing issues affect each and everyone of us,” Benson said. “Our nurses have to be sharp, well rested and focused on their jobs, not wondering if they’ll have to work a double shift or whether or not they can get home to take care of a child. These issues are not new to the profession, but they are paramount to the profession. Resolving them will benefit everyone,” Benson said. Union leaders said one of the key factors for success in this campaign will be participation from nurses from Brooklyn to Buffalo, to StonyBrook. Nurses are being urged to keep an eye on the PEF Web site, www.pef.org, and click on nurses for the latest campaign information. |
 STAT: NURSES! When the phone rings, please answer. It’s your chance to be heard on the issues that concern you most. PEF with the support of AFT will commission a telephone survey in December to verify the critical issues that lead to recruitment and retention problems, and to gain input on potential solutions. The survey will be used to define PEF’s priorities to legislators about the importance of addressing nursing issues such as mandatory overtime and inadequate staffing. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be heard. |
The
Communicator Dec 05-Jan06//
Features
Violence prevention to launch
PEF: Stop workplace violence
Override
pressure: Go Public veto
NYS
comptroller looking into wa$te
How
to blow the lid off wa$te
DOH vaccination drill a success
WTC responders to
join in study
Departments
President's
Message
You Said It -
Member's Mailbag
Nurses' Station
Member Mobilization
Retirees In Action
Member Highlights
PEF
Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
John Kraemer, PEF
founder dies
Transportation
Bond Act is a go
State Archives preserve the past
More DEC
needed after dam break
Union
scholarships now here
Free PS&T online college
courses PEF
Exec. Board June meeting
Four E. Board vacancies filled
Membership drive pays off
Agency-fee procedure outlined
Financial Supplement
download
Other Links
Professional
Directory
Members'
Classified
Member
Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The
Online Edition?
How To
Advertise Here
The
Communicator Staff
Questions on
this site?
Email the Webmaster
