In The Field: A mother-baby nurse talks about the importance of unionizing
Kayla Rath, RN
Today, we’re turning the spotlight on Kayla Rath, an RN from Pittsburgh, PA. She’s talking about nursing stereotypes, sharing mental health tips for new nurses, and why she believes nursing unions are important. Read on for a valuable lesson in believing in your own worth- and why you should consider unionizing, too.
What is your specialty and where are you based?
I work on a mother baby unit in Pittsburgh PA.
True or False: “Nurses eat their young.”
In my experience this can be true. I was bullied by a senior nurse at my first job after nursing school. At the time I thought that I wasn’t a good nurse and so I never spoke up. But having been a nurse almost 4 years now, I know what I went through was wrong. No one deserves to be bullied at work, especially new nurses who are just learning the ropes. That’s why I vowed to always treat nursing students, preceptees and my fellow nurses with the respect I would want for myself. This profession is hard enough without nurses eating their young. If we are to truly change nursing we need to change this culture.
Any self care or mental health tips for new nurses?
Make time for yourself! When I’m not working I like to take my dog for a walk, read a good book, videochat with friends, do yoga, and craft. This past year has been so hard for so many reasons. Finding a hobby you enjoy can really help you relax.
What current events in the nursing field are you most passionate about?
It’s truly incredible to me how undervalued nurses are in our society. Many nurses across the country are organizing to start unions. Some in part due to the strain of the pandemic but if anything the pandemic has only highlighted the root problems within our healthcare system that have been present long before COVID 19. As a nurse my main concern has always been my patients. But we as nurses cannot do our jobs if we are struggling ourselves. Lack of adequate pay, lack of supplies, poor staffing ratios and poor nurse retention, to name a few. The nurses at my hospital have been working hard to organize a union over the last year. We are now in the process of negotiating our contract with our hospital. As a member of the union negotiating committee I have felt a personal calling to be a part of a good change to help hundreds of nurses within my hospital. I would love for other nurses to know we’re all in this together. For them to see our strength and our example and know we can help each other change nursing one step at a time at the local, state and one day the federal government level.