Dozens of nurses joined dynamic learning sessions in October to discuss the launch of a revamped 1199SEIU Florida Nurse Council. The meetings covered how RN and LPN members who join this select, strategic team will provide valuable input on critical matters that impact nurses, your patients and your families. 

These issues include holding facilities accountable regarding safe staffing, license protection, workplace safety, best practices and much more.

The virtual learning sessions began with an overview of nurse numbers and 1199SEIU membership, broken out by region, employer and facility to illustrate the great potential power nurses have in our workplaces and healthcare system.
Linda Smith, an RN at HCA Florida Northwest Hospital, who co-hosted the sessions with 1199SEIU Florida Executive Vice President Roxey Nelson, then led a spirited Q & A session about workplace issues with fellow committed caregivers.

The sessions closed with a concerning summary of damaging legislation – namely the Trump Administration’s “Big Ugly Bill” – that slashes vast amounts of essential healthcare funding to pay for greater tax breaks for billionaires and big business.
Learning session participants discussed their outrage at the legislation that is projected to cause more than 2 million Floridians to lose their health coverage, and 13,000 healthcare workers in the state to lose their jobs.  The One Big Ugly Bill cuts more than $1 trillion to vital programs such as Medicaid and SNAP nutrition assistance while permanently extending $4.5 trillion in tax breaks largely for the ultra-wealthy.

“Nurses are essential leaders on their facility care teams and members of the most trusted profession in the nation, so they have an especially compelling voice on all of these issues, said EVP Nelson. “The learning session definitely showed this, and we’re excited about the next steps in re-energizing our 1199SEIU Florida Nurse Council.
Upcoming Nurse Council activities include Nursing Matters meetups around the state with RN Smith to discuss in person priorities in your facility and other important matters. 

See the preliminary schedule of meetups posted in this newsletter and watch for additional details in coming weeks.

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