Yeah, it has nothing to do with the operating room.
Yet, it is heavy on my mind.
The Writer’s Guild of America called a strike on May 2, 2023.
Now that there has been a huge switch to streaming for entertainment, the writers are getting left out of the money they would have made traditionally. They are getting left behind and making pennies.
Not that the vast bulk of them made much money.
When the SAG-AFTRA contract with studios expired last week, they joined the WGA on the picket line.
For many of the same reasons.
Did you know that studios are willing to pay for a day’s worth of work, providing you sign over your likeness to them in perpetuity and use your image, in whatever form they see fit, forever?
Doesn’t sit right. Now does it?
It doesn’t really impact me because I gave up television years ago. But it impacts someone I know.
After all, the last writer’s strike in 2007-2008 poured gasoline on the dumpster fire that is reality television. Well, they say reality, I say poorly written and acted crap. One of the reasons I gave up television years ago, actually.
These writers and actors have something in common with the healthcare industry.
No, it doesn’t pay the majority of them a living wage.
No.
They do it because they love it.
That is the same reason I am not in management. I have had offers, believe me. A headhunter even wanted me to work as a locums tenens (temporary) OR manager around the country. No thank you, OR all the way.
Because I love it.
Also why I am working really hard on my PhD as a way to extend my workable life.
Because the OR is dangerous.
And any OR person, tech, RN, CRNA, surgeon is just a breath away from disaster.
Just ask my cheek with its permanent indention from a fall that employee health says is 1) just swelling and 2) they can’t see the difference.
Dispatches from the Evening Shift 