Union protects the frontline of healthcare

Name: Carmenchita “Menchie” Rosales

Works at Lions Gate Hospital’s pre-surgical screening clinic

Union: BCNU

Menchie’s aunt was a nurse who shared stories about her work with the young girl that made a lasting impression.  As she grew, she says she “saw that becoming a nurse was the passport to my future. Once I got into nursing, it became my passion and I never looked back!” Menchie now has a message about her profession and her union that she hopes will inspire others.

“Nurses have a passion for caring for others. You go home feeling that you’ve done something good and made a difference in people’s lives. You get paid decently in most cases, unless you’re not unionized and your work is devalued. You gain skills to take care of your family and your community. As nurses, we are so privileged! In surveys, nurses are always at the top of the most respected professions, so we have to live up to that standard.”

Menchie says the BCNU “was always there for me. I became a single mom when my child was very young and thanks to my coworkers and the flexibility of nurses’ shift work, all through those years raising my daughter I was always able to be there for her. But I hurt my back at one point in my career and the BCNU fought to have my claim accepted. The case dragged on but my union never gave up on me.” But between her career and parenting, she thought she had to curtail her involvement in union activities. Now, “it’s payback time!”, as Menchie sees it.

Part of her payback is her major role in BCNU’s TV and newspaper ads for safe staffing and safe patient care. “I went downtown for the audition because I was curious, wondering what I could contribute? I passed the audition and had no idea I would be featured in the campaign! There is now the added responsibility that I have to have perfect decorum and always be on my best behaviour now that I am the face of nursing in BC!”

Her message to young nurses is direct. “I wish that I had gotten involved in my union earlier in my career. I thought I had to go through it alone, taking care of my kid and working full-time. But the sooner you get involved, the better. Even as parents, you can still attend meetings, BCNU pays for childcare so you can participate. You can advocate for yourself, for other nurses and of course for your patients and their families. We are also setting an example for our children, showing them that this is your parent, they are trying to do a good job and be a good nurse. We are teaching our kids to be advocates for social justice. We are on the front line of healthcare. Who else is going to speak for these patients?”

Menchie is happy to report that “we are seeing a big increase in nurses’ participation lately, our regional meetings are packed! Now that there’s more awareness among nurses that we are advocates for our patients, the only way to do that is to be well-informed. How do you get informed? You go to your union meeting and get accurate information, and I often refer nurses to the BCNU.org website which is full of great information. As I learned how my union functions, I am so impressed at how hard they work for us!”