NEW YORK NURSE: April 2007
Q.: I am an RN who works in a unionized facility. Will the union help me if I am accused of something by a patient or family?
A.: There are multiple benefits in having union representation. One of the greatest assets of NYSNA’s Nursing Advocacy and Information (NAI) program is the availability of a staff of nursing representatives. These individuals provide multiple services to members, including support for RNs who encounter workplace issues. If circumstances arise that could involve legal or professional repercussions, the advice and guidance of a nurse representative is invaluable.
As an example, consider a patient who is dissatisfied with an outcome and has decided (rightly or not) that the RN who provided care has exceeded his or her scope of practice. This accusation could lead to legal and professional misconduct charges against the RN. Nursing representatives have the resources and knowledge necessary to handle these situations, which RNs, on their own, may not.
Even when you don’t need immediate assistance, NYSNA’s nursing representatives work diligently behind the scenes to advocate for your rights. If a situation arises in your workplace that has potential legal or professional implications, reach out to your nursing representative for the help and support that your contract guarantees.