Linda M. Bock

Linda M. Bock, RN Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital and Nursing Center Cheverly, Maryland

 “What an amazing day to be a part of an historic presidency participating in an historic Town Hall meeting! The day was rainy and cold but somehow we didn’t seem to notice. As SEIU nurses entered the East Room of the White House on March 26, the energy and excitement was palpable with lights, cameras, press and citizens eagerly awaiting President Obama. He had promised to continue his legacy of reaching out to people that began as a community organizer and intensified during his run for presidential office.

“Holding a Town Hall meeting, utilizing the technology of the Internet, and inviting people to meet with him enabled President Obama to keep his promise. He wanted to hear from people throughout the country about how his economic stimulus plan might affect lives and livelihoods. President Obama wanted to have his meeting reflect an interest in and understanding of current financial hardships that everyday citizens are facing.

“The Nurse Alliance of SEIU had nine nurses present for this amazing event and I was blessed to be a part of this meeting. I had replied to an invitation just over 24 hours before saying I would like to participate. Nurses came from Florida, Pennsylvania, California, Iowa, New York, Colorado and Maryland. No one had any idea if we would be selected to ask any questions but we had hope. All of us had stories to tell and concerns we wanted to convey. But one thing was clear: as nurses, we wanted to have a voice in healthcare reform!

“Somehow I was selected by President Obama to ask a question and although I had raised my hand, I had not expected to be called on. I had many things I wanted to talk about – shortage of nurses, mandatory overtime, and nurse/patient ratios but decided to focus on acknowledging my RN colleagues with me from SEIU and that we are our patients’ advocates, their voices and, consequently, we wanted a place at the table. As nurses, we want to address sky-rocketing health care costs focusing on prevention and education. We want to establish community-based health centers for our uninsured population that reduce unnecessary visits to emergency departments. We also wanted to thank President Obama for listening to us just like we are called to listen to our patients.

“President Obama’s response was amazing! “I guarantee you nurses were part of the health care summit, and they will be at the table in all these discussions. I'm biased toward nurses, I just like nurses.” Obama went on to add “When Sasha, our little precious pea… got meningitis ... frankly, it was the nurses that were there with us when she had to get a spinal tap, and all sorts of things that were just bringing me to tears… So I think it's very important that nurses are a part of this process.”

“President Obama listened to my concerns and spoke to me and my sisters and brothers in nursing. He realized that as nurses we care not only about our profession but about our patients and the quality of care that we provide under trying circumstances. He understood that we are the primary health care providers at the bedside in the communities, schools, nursing homes and private homes wanting and hoping to make a difference in the health and well-being of our patients. I am grateful for the opportunity afforded nurses by President Obama, in holding a Town Hall meeting, and by SEIU and President Obama in offering us a seat at the table.

“We encourage all nurses to be a voice for their profession and for their patients and to take advantage of opportunities to speak out and up for ‘Change that Works’!”