Attention all future and current nurses in BC!

Originally posted by hscotland
As you know, nursing is a lucrative, rewarding and an essential occupation in our society. And although choosing to become a nurse is extremely commendable, there are many issues that surround the profession today, such as the shortage of nurses that is only beginning to become a problem and is only expected to get worse. It’s important to be aware of this situation and know what your options are.

I’m a student at Douglas College. I’m doing a recommendation report in Communications 115 on becoming a nurse in BC today (the best way to go about it) and how the shortage is expected to affect future and current RN’s. Because I’m not in a nursing program, gaining perspective first-hand is not an option for me. Instead, I came up with a short questionnaire to perhaps gain an insider’s perspective and opinion on the subject. The questions themselves are fairly short but an insider's opinion would be such an asset to this report.

As this will eventually affect all nurses in BC in some way, I’d like to ask anyone who is currently enrolled in a nursing program or those who have graduated from one within the past 10 years to answer the questions below. It would give you the opportunity to share your knowledge and opinion on the subject, as well as provide invaluable first-hand understanding and experience to this report.

If you do decide to fill it out, I thank you so much. If you don't feel comfortable answering the questions in this forum, feel free to email me at hscotland@hotmail.com and I would be pleased to email it to you. Thank you again in advance.

Sincerely,

Heather Scotland

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Questionnaire:

**The information received from this questionnaire will be used only for the purposes of preparing a research report that is a required course component of Communications 115, sections 005, 006, 008, and 051 at Douglas College. Only the students and the instructor of Communication 115 will read the information and the report. Respondents are under no obligation to answer any of the questions on this questionnaire. Respondents may answer anonymously.**

Name: (not required)
Age: (not required)
Profession: (nursing student or RN – not required) RN

1. Did you enter a nursing program immediately after high school or did you upgrade your marks and enter at a later date?

___ High School ___ Upgrade

Neither, I had a year of sciences in college, thinking I would do a science degree


2. Were you on a waiting list before entering a nursing program?

___ Yes _X__ No

3. What do you feel are the odds that you will have to return to school and upgrade your nursing degree? (1 being very unlikely and 5 being very likely) 1, I have a BSN and that seems good enough.

1 2 3 4 5

4. How efficient do you think the training is/was in your program? (1 being very inefficient and 5 being very efficient)
At the time I would have said 2, but after being out of school, I think more like 4

1 2 3 4 5

5. Did you do anything to better your chances at getting into a program sooner (i.e. Pre-nursing programs)? If so, what? No

6. Do you think increased funding for more spaces in nursing programs would be beneficial to decreasing the expected shortage? Would you even go so far to say it’s necessary?
I would say it is necessary in the short term, but without good jobs awaiting new graduates, they will just leave the province like I did so that alone will do absolutely no good.

7. Describe your views on the current nursing shortage.
a) How does it affect you, if it does at all? It makes me have to work short staffed which can compromise care, I often get OT shifts, but on the upside, I could quit this job today and have another one by tomorrow.

b) Do you think it will have an impact or effect on your future as a nurse in BC?
It already has because I left the province last year. I don't have to put up with the crap there when I can get a good job so easily elsewhere.

c) What do you think is the main reason(s) for the shortage?
Working conditions (shift work, no flexibility in scheduling, more and more acute patients, poorer staffing, a lack of respect), the unrealistic expectations of new nurses (like that nursing is lucrative), no real attention paid to retention of nurses....

d) Any other comments or thoughts?

8. - If you’re currently enrolled in a nursing program, how confident are you about finding a job in BC after graduating? Do you intend to stay in BC or find employment elsewhere?
Many of my friends had trouble finding jobs, unless they were heading north or to Vancouver. Almost all new grads get stuck on med-surg or psych working casual, whether they want to or not.

- If you’re currently working as an RN in BC, did you find it challenging to find a job to suit your needs (i.e. full-time vs. part-time)? Has leaving BC to work ever been an option for you?
I did leave, mainly because I couldn't get good full time work in BC. Too many casual and part time jobs, plus they are very cheap when it comes to training staff in new specialties.

9. All healthcare programs in BC continue to face cutbacks. Whether you are in a program or working as an RN, how have cutbacks affected you, if at all? '
Cutbacks just lead to more and more crap at work. I was sick of always working short staffed, and having no bonuses at work (like paid education). I finally left for greener pastures and I don't regret it a bit. Many of my friends still in BC have been bumped out of their jobs because of facility cutbacks (senior nurses lose their jobs, and they get to take the job of more junior nurses). It is REALLY ridiculous that with a nursing shortage there are nurses in BC that can't get full time work or training in specialty areas that are really short. To be frank, BC has its head up its bum when it comes to nursing today. Any new grad can go to the US or to another province to get good training in a specialty, full time work, better pay and bonuses.

10. Are there any other opinions, thoughts, or experiences you’d like to add?