Question:
Nurses going on strike - will they cancel my abdominalplasty?

Hi all, Well I have 12 days until my abdominalplasty with Dr. Cahill at Mt. Clemens General Hospital in Michigan. I have been trying to keep my nerves calm and then I decided to watch the news last night. They had a story saying that the nurses at MCGH are going out on strike in 10 days. Apprently they have not had a contract in over 6 months. Does that mean my surgery will be cancelled? Will we have to cross a picket line to get in? I can't imagine a major hospital shutting down or cancelling that many surgeries. I have heard they may call a temp agency for nurses and use nurse practitioners. Should I be worried? My husband says we have 12 days until we know for sure and I should try to be calm. Just looking for some input. Thanks. Kristin    — ckreh (posted on July 30, 2004)

July 30, 2004
Kristin I am so sorry to hear this. I've only been a patient there once but they treated me like gold. I suppose I should watch the news more often, but like this occurence it's so depressing. I hope they get this worked out, for all the patients sake. And that you get your surgery as scheduled. BEST WISHES Marsha.....just around the corner in Fraser. :-)
   — Wings In Waiting

July 30, 2004
I think if you heard it on the news and they are giving a time limit that hopefuly they will work it out before their deadline. I was involved in a proposed strike once and the hospital worked very fast to get it solved before anyone left since agency nurses are very expensive.
   — jenafwife

July 31, 2004
I wouldn't be too worried yet. If the strike continues, any elective surgeries, such as yours, might be cancelled, but most times nursing strikes are settled pretty quickly. Agency nurses and using supervisors and ancillary personel can get expensive for the hospital.
   — koogy

August 1, 2004
Not only are agency nurses very extremely expensive, but many will nOT cross a picket line. Those who do usually make in excess of $3,000 a week. ( I know someone who did it once for a long term strike) As for my self I would not ever cross a picket line. But to answer your question, In times of a staffing crisis it would not be unusual for elective procedures to be postponed until the staffing issues are settled.
   — **willow**