An issue is defined by Webster as “a matter that is in dispute between two or more parties: A point of debate of controversy.” This assignment provides the opportunity for you to think critically about an issue that is currently affecting the professional and to present your position in writing.
II. OBJECTIVES
This assignment provides the opportunity to:
Demonstrate research abilities by locating pertinent and timely resources that present more than one side of the issue.
Critically analyze various viewpoints.
Formulate personal position that can be defended.
III. PROCEDURE
A. Topics: Students will select a topic from the following list:
Should Nurses Join a Union?
Should Nurses Join the American Nurses Association?
Should the Entry level for Registered Nurses be the BSN?
Should Families be Allowed to Attend a Code?
Should the Terminally Ill be Admitted to ICU?
Do some Advanced Directives Limit Patients’ Rights?
Or, you can submit another ethical issue for approval. Students are expected to read broadly about the assigned topic. The primary resources should be nursing journals.
B. Paper:
1. This is a formal paper and must follow APA format. To avoid plagiarism use correct APA format to cite references, especially direct quotes.
2. The order of the paper is:
Title page (separate page)
Abstract (separate page, approximately 100 words)
Introduction to the topic. (i.e. Why is it important for nurses? What are the implications for nurses? 3-4 paragraphs)
Discussion of the pro side of issue. (3-4 points, 3-4 pages). Include references.
Discussion of the con side of issue. (3-4 points, 3-4 pages). Include references.
Personal opinion section (3-4 paragraphs)
Reference list (separate page).
3. Important APA Guidelines (6th ed)
Margins: left margin — right, top and bottom – 1 inch.
Page numbers should appear in the upper right corner of page, 1 inch from top and side.
Use double spacing for entire paper.
Use headings.
TO BE RE-WRITTEN FROM THE SCRATCH
Abstract
Due to the rise in popularity of nursing unionization, this paper looks at the phenomena and its implications on the nursing profession. The issue has been debated since the 1940s, through to the American Nurse Association’s (ANA) collective bargaining for better working conditions and the association’s consequent formation of United American Nurses (UAN) that was a precursor to National Nurses United (NNU), the biggest nursing union in the country. The paper lists down various advantages of unionization that include higher wages, job security and collective bargaining. It also lists down various disadvantages that include union dues, stifling working environment and deprofessionalization of nursing. Finally, the author offers an opinion on whether nurses should join unions or not.
Should Nurses Join A Union?
Unions are increasingly becoming relevant in the nursing profession, impacting on the financial, professional and personal welfare of nurses. Yet whilst some people view them as important to the profession, others view them as unnecessary impediments to the development of the profession (Dube, Kaplan and Thompson, 2016). Indeed since discussions about unionizing nursing emerged in the 1940s, there has been no agreement as to their importance.
Nursing union membership in the United States is estimated to be at 21% (Spetz, Ash, Konstatinidis and Herrera, 2011) with the largest union being the National Nurses United (NNU) that has 185,000 members. Other nursing unions are the National Federation of Nurses, Washington Nurses Association and Oregon Nurses Association. Some nurses are represented by non-nursing unions including the American Federation of Teachers, United Steelworkers and the Service Employees International Union (Koys, Martin, LaVan and Katz, 2015). There are also professional organizations that represent nurses, such as the American Nurse Association (ANA).
Often, the roles of nursing professional associations and those of unions overlap. ANA has in the past successfully lobbied for better working conditions for nurses (Staiger, Spetz and Phibbs, 2010) while present-day unions are advocating for more professionalism in the industry through funded training programs for nurses. Overall, nursing unionization should lead to better working conditions, more job satisfaction and better patient outcomes for unionized nurses. Whether A point of debate of controversy these goals are achieved is debatable.
Advantages of joining a union
The right to unionized membership is enshrined in the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935 that grants private sector workers the right to organize and form unions whilst reviewing and prosecuting unfair labor practices such as threat, unfair disciplining and refusal to bargain. NLRA further requires unions to represent employees and to bargain in good faith (Kany, 2007). Amendment to the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 allowed nurses in not-for-profit hospitals to unionize. Moreover unions are working towards laws that regulate hospitals and other healthcare institutions, especially with a view to requiring employers to protect nurses from harassment and violence in the nosocomial environments and creating government-funded programs for nursing education (Cherry, 2014).
Unions give workers a voice in collective bargaining with employers for better pay. They enable negotiation for fair wages for all unionized nurses, usually with a minimum wage and different rates for different shifts being agreed upon. It is noteworthy that nurses in unionized facilities generally earn 18.8% higher than…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. A point of debate of controversy
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