SCAN - Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Staff Council Association News 

October 2008

Vol. III Issue X

 

Published Irregularly by:

Marquette General Hospital Staff Council

P.O. Box 895

Marquette, Michigan 49855-9998

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 Please see Current Events:

Call for Annual Elections: please consider nominating yourself or another. The offices of President, 2nd VP, Treasurer,  Chief Steward and one Membership Marketing slot are open for consideration. Bio and consent must be filled out and are linked from this site, if you have question, please use the hotline or yahoo site.

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The next Staff Council meeting is  October 21, 2008 1600-1630  at the Staff Council office on Magnetic and Third St.

Please bring your nominations and BIO and Consent forms for the office of your choice. Thank you for considering helping your professional union and its members. See your SC unit boards for further information.

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Staff Council endorses MGHS Gallup Poll Survey:
Please take the time when asked, to contribute your expertise and opinion. There will be muliple opportunities to assist with the data collection.

You are the expert and your input is valuable!

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There are only 4 weeks left to election day. Educate your self on the issues, PLEASE get out there and vote. The polls are open to accommodate all shifts that are working.

Being a Registered Nurse should mean you are a registered voter.

Please study the issues and vote!

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The yahoo e mail communication tool is up and running again. If you receive this SCAN and are not receiving yahoo e/m from staff council please use the link on the scan to provide your e/m address and you will be added to the yahoo mailing list. The yahoo account is used for important alerts and information for the RN's of Staff Council. If you receive an e/m from us please share it with your unit RN members.

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Your SC Executive team is aware of the letter that all employees received last week from the employer. We are looking it over and deciding how to proceed. Information will be forthcoming when it is available.

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MEMBER MOMENTS:

Did you know the Lillian Brooks Education Fund through the Marquette Foundation is there for you?

If you are considering certification in your area of nursing (CEN, CCRN, ect) that there is information and help for testing fee. Once you have received your certification, you may request reimbursement from the refund for the testing fee. Contact the foundation for further information. Of course contributions to the fund are always welcome. If your unit is looking for a good cause to support (pop can money, alturistic funding) please consider Lillian's fund. She was a absolute support to the staff nurse and believed in education for nursing. She is missed by those who knew her and her memory will live on with this fund.

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 Issues on the Units:

 FACTIOD: Do you know a schedule can NOT be changed once it is posted unless mutally agreed upon?

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 STAFFING CONCERNS:

 It is very important for staff council to have a paper trail if you have any practice issues.  Use short staffing forms, pre-grievance forms, PICC forms etc.  Contact the grievance steward for advice or e-mail at mghstaffcouncil@yahoo.com immediately with your issues. 

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Is staffing part of your UPC agenda?

Do you know when your staffing plan is up for review?

Did you know your staffing plan must be submitted to the PICC Committee before implementation and that you as a staff RN may address the committee if you have concerns about your staffing plan?

Do you know what Article 15 is in your contract?

Article 15 is an important and critical article regarding staffing. You should read it and be familar with it!

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Rumor Control:

Rumor:  "My manger said I have to punch out at the end of my shift and then finish charting, really?"

Fact: Any handling of patients records and charting must be done on the clock, otherwise you are in violation of HIPPA and patient confidentiality. Do not risk losing your job, follow all guidelines for handling confidential information.

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FUTURE SCANS:

If you have any questions or ideas for articles please send them through the Yahoo e/mail address.

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Success is measured

not so much by the position that one has

reached in life

 as by the obstacles which he has overcome.

Booker T Washington