July 12, 2023—
Rachel surveyed the accelerated nursing program she starts in August, and I joined for the reception after. Three program directors, all nurses, talked with genuine excitement and passion for the work and training of new nurses. I’m so proud of Rachel for being a part of it.
New to a Union
I went to the first day of orientation for my new job, which included complementary steel-toe boots and, probably, a pallet jack. Another new hire had recently lost benefits as an orderly at Rochester General. During our lunch break, he said he had never worked with a union before, and groaned a little at the $30 that would come from ten of our paychecks for dues.
For context, background on Rochester General from Gino Fanelli for WXXI:
“Nurses at RGH voted to unionize in July 2022, amid worsening vacancy rates and pay equity, which they believe translates to poor patient care. Rochester Regional Health, the parent company of RGH, has meanwhile resisted the union effort, and spent $1.3 million last year on efforts to persuade workers out of organizing.”
A quick snap—the future at 6 pm was very bright in her eyes (the tiny sign says, U of R School of Nursing)