PRESIDENT'S REPORT

New Jersey Nurse, Nov/Dec 2004 by Carney, Linda Parry

Many Nurses-One Organization

Can NJSNA be the organization for all nurses in New Jersey? The question is not just rhetorical; it comes up at our Board of Directors meetings. We all grapple with this question because there are so many issues with the potential to cut rifts between members in the various areas of nursing practice.

I think NJSNA can be the voice of all New Jersey nurses. We are sensitive to the issues because of the diversity of our board. The board is made up of staff nurses, managers, educators and advanced practice nurses; union and non-union nurses. We represent an array of practice areas including acute care, home care, long-term care, various areas of public health and education.

This makes for some very lively discussions as we seek to do what is best for the profession as a whole. Some issues are easy for us all to agree on-like the alternative to discipline bill and immunity for employers who give frank references. These issues affect nurses across the spectrum. Others focus on one arena, such as the recent APN bill. Then there are those that stir emotions, both pro and con. But dialogue and disagreement and compromise are all part of the process because our charge is to represent all nurses.

It is clear that for many nurses workplace advocacy is best for them. NJSNA provides these nurses with the tools necessary to effect change in their workplace without going the collective bargaining route. This is why NJSNAs board of directors voted on September 28 to join the Center for American Nurses (CAN). The center is an associate organizational member of the American Nurses' Associationactually, ANAs workplace advocacy affiliate.

Some nurses feel that collective bargaining is the best way for them. If nurses ask about organizing in their workplace, we recommend they call NYSNA because it keeps them in the ANA family. We also represent a small group of nurses in Trenton and therefore belong to the UAN. We do this to help a sector of our membership-it does not mean that NJSNA endorses unionization for the majority of nurses.

We are also working with legislators to achieve immunity for employers that provide honest and frank references on employees. On a constant basis, the board and staff of NJSNA also review legislation and proposed regulations that could have an impact on nurses and nursing in any arena.

In my first article as President of NJSNA, I talked about how important it is to communicate because there is such a variety in nursing-with respect to employment, patient care, legislation and other issues. We must recognize and embrace our diversity, and realize that there will be times when we are all of the same opinion and times when we have to agree to disagree. In the end, we must support each other and come together for the sake of our patients and our profession.

If you have an opinion or can offer a possible solution to a problem, the best thing you can do is be active in your association. Call or write the NJSNA office and/or the board members and let us know what you think. Even better, speak with your region president about getting involved. If we work together, our profession will benefit and so will each of us.

Linda Parry Carney, MA, RN President