I have been following the debate on the nurse’s strike in the Twin Cities and have listened to many opinions, questions, and thoughts on the matter.  The issue that, to me, is central in this whole thing is one I have yet to hear voiced.  In a nutshell it is this:  I don’t understand why nurses think that they should be able to determine staffing levels.  I tried to think of another industry in which skilled, semi-skilled, or un-skilled workers got to call the shots .

Manufacturing companies don’t let line workers dictate how many people are working.  Retail agencies don’t let clerks say how the business should be staffed.  “Well,” you may say, “nurses are different, because they are talking about patient safety. “ Let’s think about that.  Police officers don’t dictate how the patrol shifts are managed, firefighters don’t dictate how trucks are staffed, and air traffic controllers don’t get to determine staffing levels.

Whether safety is at stake, or not, determining staffing levels (in any industry) should be a function of administration.  Employers would be wise to listen and consider employees opinions, but at the end of the day, it’s up to the company.  I hope the Twin Cities hospitals stay strong and don’t let the tail wag the dog.