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In the "Professionalism" editorial, you state that unionization of healthcare professionals erodes professional values because trade unions are not patient centered and do not reward those who show outstanding professionalism. But how can making "the best with what we have" be considered more patient centered and more professional? Isn’t a trade union that is concerned with the working conditions and employment of its members more patient centered, especially if working conditions have deteriorated, because, as the Editors admit, staffing and resources are in short supply? Are we to be satisfied with doing more for our patients with less? It seems obvious that before the unionization of healthcare professionals, the solution to the nursing shortage and poor working conditions was not within reach. Many people erroneously believe that it is wrong for nurses to be motivated by financial considerations and expect nurses to sacrifice their health and financial well-being to care for their patients. However, unacceptable working conditions such as mandatory overtime and high patient ratios should be a concern for patients and the public, and nurses who belong to a union that finds these practices deplorable reflect nurses’ commitments as professionals to their patients.¹

Additionally, I find it interesting that the Editors focus on how the medical profession has dealt with the concept of professionalism, citing concerns about profit when, in fact, the medical profession is profit driven. The nursing profession is not profit driven; it is patient driven. Therefore, strategies that uphold medical professionalism will not work for nursing. The medical profession is universally recognized as the dominant healthcare profession by the public and does not need union representation, whereas nurses are fighting an uphill battle to be recognized as professionals, with no solution in sight. I am in total agreement that a collaborative effort must be made across the disciplines, but I do not feel that trade unions look askance at altruistic behavior, but rather encourage autonomy and altruism by providing representation for voices often left unheard.

Incidentally, I am not employed by a hospital in which the nurses are unionized, but I applaud any efforts to uphold nursing professionalism.

Mary T. Carlisle, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS, ACNP
Bowie, Md

REFERENCE

1. Buresh B, Gordon S, Jeans ME. From Silence to Voice: What Nurses Know and Must Communicate to the Public. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Nurses Association, 2000:173–174.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Respond to This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Carlisle, M. T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Carlisle, M. T.