RN Calls for Boycott on the State of Arizona
RN Greg Mercer of Arlington, MA has called for a boycott on the State of Arizona in response to the Amanda Trujillo case. He is collecting signatures on change.org, here is the what they say:
BOYCOTT ARIZONA FOR NURSES AND PATIENTS
After multiple invitations to a civil dialogue regarding AZ BON, Governor Brewer has not replied or addressed any of the issues raised. In fact, the only response to date hase been an increase in the seeming intimidation and abuses of power directed at a nurse, Amanda Trujillo, whose seemingly frivolous and abusive case before the Board has languished unresolved for a year to date, leaving her unemployed and impoverished.
Ongoing research suggests serious corruption in both local nursing management and BON functioning, with many serious conflict of interest, intolerably poor accountability and transparency, and a system that allows for and even tacitly encourages abuses of power. All these concerns threaten the ability of Nurses in Arizona to meet their ethical and professional obligations, and thus threaten patient education and safety. Nurse Amanda Trujillo’s case is but one example.
While reasonable people can disagree on the interpretation of the case that led to her firing, no informed person can reasonably doubt that this case shows the regulation of Nursing in Arizona to be inadequate at best, and harmful to the public safety at worst. It also encourages an environment in which Nurses cannot perform actions within their well-established Scope of Practice and professional responsibilities without fear of retaliatory abuse that can easily ruin a career with little or no accountability on the part of those who file even the most ridiculous complaints.
Amanda’s next Board Hearing is scheduled 3/19/12, and the Arizona legislature is in the process of a scheduled reauthorization of the AZ BON’s rules and powers. These two opportunities for positive change, and the pressing situation I just described, have led a group of Nurse Advocates to post this petition calling for pledges to boycott the following until we see credible, concrete evidence that these long-ignored issues are effectively addressed:
1) All Arizona-based tourism,
2) All possible Arizona health care,
3) All Arizona-based Nurse recruitment and education,
4) All conventions and other public events held in Arizona, and
5) All businesses who, on learning of these issues, nevertheless schedule events in Arizona.
The time has come for accountability in Arizona health care and regulation. As the local business community and government have shown no interest in providing such necessary changes, all American Nurses, patients, and citizens need to shine light on these dark areas and provide an impetus for responsible change.
Why People Are Signing
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4 days ago1 person likes this reason
Nurses are mandated bout our code of ethics to put our patients FIRST, to do our best to help them and look out for their best interest. Education and advocacy is just part of what nurses do. I must ensure that my patients are able to make INFORMED decisions about their care. And by every patient bill of rights I ever read – they have the right to DECLINE any treatment they choose!
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4 days ago1 person likes this reason
Question, question, question and if a nurse helps with that process, not only more power to her, but also a promotion should be in order, not possible firing. Why aren’t more questions being asked before surgeries? Who is this Doc? And how do we get him fired?
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4 days ago1 person likes this reason
I am standing up for my profession. As a nurse, I am a caregiver, a counselor, a provider and most of all a teacher.
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4 days ago1 person likes this reason
If I should be a patient, I would always want my nurses to do the right thing without fear of retaliation by applicable boards.
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6 days ago1 person likes this reason
This case has world-wide significance to nurses and to patients. It is vital that the public stands up and makes their voices heard on this issue. Quality Nurses = Quality Healthcare. Abused Nurses = Disastrous Healthcare.
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2 days ago
There is growing awareness of the corruption in AZ in both local Nursing management and BON functioning, with many serious conflict of interest, intolerably poor accountability and transparency, and a system that allows for and even tacitly encourages abuses of power. This case highlights the regulation of Nursing in Arizona to be inadequate at best, and harmful to the public safety at worst. It also encourages an environment in which Nurses cannot perform actions within their well-established Scope of Practice and professional responsibilities without fear of retaliatory abuse that can easily ruin a career with little or no accountability on the part of those who file even the most ridiculous complaints.
We MUST save both Nurses and their patients from this horrible abuse of power!!
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4 days ago
My father was pressured to have, what turned out to be, unneeded surgery. He was lucky to have his wife and son there to advocate for him. We refused and his condition cleared up in a mater of days. Those who are not as fortunate need people like Amanda Trujillo and ethical doctors (they do exist) to help patients make the best decision for their lives, not the what is best for doctor or the hospital’s bottom line and prestige.
Shame on Del Webb Hospital for not supporting Ms. Trujillo. -
about 22 hours ago
This is a real travesty. It goes against everything I ever learned or taught about ethics and the role of nurse as advocate. Amanda is the nurse I want at my bedside to advocate for me, she is the type of nurse I teach my students about. What a sad message the AZ BON is sending to the public and nurses everywhere!