Former staffer sad at bonus decision
As the 2014 Erlanger Nurse of the Year, I cannot adequately describe how honored I was to work with the best nursing team in our area specifically the pediatric ICU at Children’s Hospital. Retired from Erlanger but not from nursing, I find the latest actions by the Erlanger board demoralizing and embarrassing. Staff members have suffered the loss of vacation pay, sick time, frozen pensions, increased premiums for health coverage, no raises for tenured nurses and the loss of health coverage for retirees. A planned raise in January is only for “eligible” staff. The experienced staff which left was irreplaceable. During my 31-plus years as at Erlanger, I had dreams of working in a new Children’s Hospital or a new pediatric ICU or at least at one with adequate and clean facilities for a family centered care unit. A fundraising campaign that looked so promising just a few weeks ago is now in jeopardy by our hospital leaders who place themselves ahead of their staff and patients. Leading by example is the number-one lesson to be learned by a manager, and yes, I was in management at one time, too. Satisfied staff better patient care.
BARBARA DAVIS, RN, BSN, CCRN, CPN
Thank you, David Cook, for column
So happy that I always read David Cook’s column. The one on Dec. 19 might be his best so far. Thank you, David, for addressing the perversion we increasingly call entertainment. And art. Shame on us all. I suppose this would be the perfect time and place to reference Philippians 4:8. Meanwhile, thank you, David, for your words. Thank you, America, that I do not always have to agree with David, but when I do, I sure appreciate the freedom to say so.