You didn’t win, and now, I finally get to tell my story
It is my job as a nurse to advocate for my patients and to ensure everything I do is in their best interests. It is no different as the local WSNA chair, a position I have held for several years now, to support my fellow nurses in every way I can. My job is to act as their representative — at committees and in all other places where my representation is needed — and advocate for them.
In Summer 2023, I was being a true advocate. I voiced concerns at my place of employment regarding changes being forced upon us that I felt would have a negative impact on those at work and on the patients we serve. I didn't just voice this concern once; I continually brought it forward in meeting after meeting and committee after committee as it became obvious this concern was not going away. I was a squeaky wheel for a long time.
Then, in fall 2023, I experienced the worst harassment I have ever experienced in my life. For approximately six months, I was targeted and harassed by my employer. I have a spotless record, but suddenly, I was being pulled in with allegations and discipline that my employer could not document or justify. I reported this bullying up multiple chains of command, yet nothing was done to stop it or reprimand the offending party. Management allowed it to continue, and the person who harassed me remains in the same role.
If no one stands up for what is morally and ethically right, then what is the point of being an advocate?”
The harassment was so bad that I ended up having to go into therapy for my mental health. During this time, I experienced severe anxiety and depression. I had never experienced anything like this in my entire life. I was physically and mentally unwell.
Some who were close to me knew what I was going through and repeatedly asked, "Why don't you just quit?" Why didn't I quit? Those who know me know why. I am stubborn, and I simply cannot stand by, watch something that is wrong, and not do or say anything about it. If no one stands up for what is morally and ethically right, then what is the point of being an advocate?
I endured relentless harassment for months, even after my union, WSNA, filed grievances on my behalf. It did not let up until spring 2024 when WSNA filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on my behalf. The process moved forward, and we waited to go to trial for a very long time.
So here I am now, almost two years later, speaking my truth. We didn't go to trial because Kadlec settled the case rather than face a trial before an NLRB judge.
The harassment I went through has forever changed my life and left scars. These scars may be invisible, but now, I finally get to share them aloud.
The nursing profession is hard enough without having to endure psychological damage from supervisors and managers who should be part of your support system. Nurses, be strong, and be brave to stand up for what you know to be true and right.
It can be hard. Find your support system and lean on them when you're weak. Get your union in your corner. It may not have been easy, but I now finally have the acknowledgement that what I went through was wrong. That is more meaningful than ANY amount of money.
Last, to the people in power who harassed me and the administrators who allowed it to continue, shame on you. I can only hope that my experience standing up for what is right will prevent other nurses from having to go through what I went through and inspire them to stand up and fight if they do.
Meri Bukovinsky is a nurse at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.