Nursing is a tough job that requires the right conditions to work safely. When conditions at a healthcare facility aren’t right, then nurses strike for a better working environment.
This is where a scab nurse comes in who doesn’t take part in strikes but works throughout any striking actions.
This article will take a look at what a scab nurse does (see also ‘What Is A Nurse Clinician?‘) and what you need to know when you want to become a scab nurse.
What Is A Scab Nurse?
There are a number of different definitions of a scab nurse but generally a scab nurse is a nurse who does not take part in strikes or she may also return to work before a strike has officially ended.
Scab nurses, also sometimes called strikebreakers, may be union members who refuse to strike or they are workers who refuse to join a labor union.
Sometimes nurses who work for less than normal wages are also called scab nurses.
There is an ongoing debate in the nursing profession around scab nurses. Some striking nurses feel that any nursing colleagues who don’t strike with them are undermining their fellow RNs.
However, there are also arguments for the importance of scab nurses. They step in temporarily and only perform absolutely essential tasks during strikes.
For many healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, it is essential for the safety of patients that there are some workers who can support patients in emergencies.
Advantages Of Being A Scab Nurse
There are quite a few perks for a nurse who picks up work during a strike. These nurse strike jobs are usually given to traveling nurses (see also ‘Can LPN Be A Travel Nurse?‘) by specific agencies.
More Money
Strike nursing jobs pay the highest rate for a nurse because hospitals and other healthcare facilities simply cannot afford to drop below emergency staffing levels.
This means, they need to fill positions instantly. The urgency allows strike nurse companies to charge top dollar.
More Experience
As a strike is usually a crisis situation for a hospital, they need every hand available.
This means that nurses can gain some new skills and experiences in other parts of the state or country.
Short Notice Travel
While this isn’t the same as traveling for holidays, scab nurses often enjoy the job because they can travel to a different part of the country.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that scab nurses are usually called in at short notice.
Help During A Crisis
It doesn’t just feel nice to help patients and a hospital in crisis, but you can also put this on your resume.
This will earn you some bonus points in future job interviews.
What Happens When Nurses Strike?
Nurses strike for different reasons, from the demand for better working conditions to an increase in pay.
When nursing decide to take striking action, then this will put a halt to an entire hospital, and it can affect thousands of patients as well as other staff.
Hospital strikes and nurse strikes also affect the profits of the hospital as a whole. However, the bigger concern is generally with in-patients and incoming patients.
Studies have shown that during strikes, the in-hospital mortality rate of patients goes up by as much as 20%.
This is a large figure which is a reminded that a hospital doesn’t just lose out on some of the basic tasks but strikes can potentially cost lives.
That’s why, scab nurse jobs were created to help replace some of the striking nurse temporarily.
In the past years, an entire industry has developed around strike nurse jobs, and there are even strike nursing companies.
These agencies alleviate some of the pressures associated with strike actions in the US. They aim to provide skilled registered nurses to short-staffed hospital at difficult times.
Arguments Against Scab Labor
As part of the debated around strike nurses, there are also different arguments against the hiring of scab nurses.
One of the biggest issues is that scab nurses who are supposed to fill in a nurse job temporarily can also stay in this job.
This means that one striking nurses have concluded their union actions, they won’t be able to return to their normal job.
Permanently hiring replacement workers is on the rise in the US for years, and many courts have started to side with employers where striking workers wanted to return to their jobs but they had been filled by scabs.
What To Consider Before Becoming A Scab Nurse?
Before you decide to become a scab nurse to temporarily fill in for a striking nurse, it’s worth looking at some of the things you will need to consider for this job.
Nurse Licensure
Your nursing license is only valid for the state where you practice. This means that, if you become a scab nurse outside of your state, then you will need to get a license for that state.
There are a few different licensing options for your nursing practice, including compact licenses.
Just make sure that you get the right license before you start your scab job.
Accommodations
Being a scab nurse isn’t for everyone because it can mean a lot of travel and time away from your friends and family.
As strike nurses pick up their assignments at short notice, you should always have a traveling bag ready (see also our favorite backpacks for nurses).
Accommodation is typically provided for scab nurses but they are shared with other traveling nurses.
Safety
Nursing generally is a stressful environment but being a scab nurse means you will end up in a crisis situation at a hospital that you are not familiar with. This can cause a lot of anxiety (see also ‘12 Tips For Nurses To Deal With Pre And Postshift Anxiety‘).
It’s also important to keep in mind that striking nurses may also direct their anger towards scab nurses.
This means you will need to keep safety in mind. In some cases, the hospital also provides transport for scab nurses.
Final Thoughts
Scab nurses cover any nursing jobs when other nurses go on strike. Strike nurses provide only the essentials to ensure the safety of patients in a hospital.