[NRSKarenRN]

"Still long-standing problems associated with the shortage and the workplace environment"





See Nursing Spectrum article:

RNs’ Perception Study Shows Some Positives
Lorraine Steefel, RN, MSN, CTN
Masthead Date March 28, 2005


Things are improving in hospitals, and the shortage has eased somewhat according to the 2004 National Survey of Registered Nurses. The new study is one of the first that shows positive changes, says coinvestigator Peter Buerhaus, RN, PhD, FAAN. “Though we’re making progress, there are still long-standing problems associated with the shortage and the workplace environment,” says Buerhaus, Valere Potter Professor of Nursing, senior associate dean for research at the School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.

The 2004 NSRN is a follow-up study to the landmark 2002 NurseWeek/AONE National Survey of Registered Nurses. “Unique to both studies is the focus on the perceptions of nurses themselves,” says coinvestigator Beth Ulrich, RN, EdD, CHE, Nursing Spectrum vice president, professional and editorial services, South Central, Mountain West, and Western regions. The survey presents the views of a random sample of nurses across the country about the nursing shortage, work environment, nursing as a career, recruitment and retention of RNs, and Johnson & Johnson’s Campaign for Nursing’s Future. Because many of the questions were repeated from the prior survey, researchers could detect trends and compare results. Johnson & Johnson and Nursing Spectrum funded the study, conducted by Harris Interactive from May 11, 2004, through July 26, 2004. The first data released from the study concerns RNs' views of the shortage and nursing as a career

Full article:
http://community.nursingspectrum.com....cfm?AID=13854

[SmilingBluEyes]

As usual, you seem to make it all so easy to see and illuminate the true problems very clearly, Karen. Thank you. But this is preaching to the choir, I am afraid.

[NRSKarenRN]

What IS most alarming with all the focus on "National Patient Safety Goals" is workplace staffing issues are affecting these critical areas:

a. 92% nurses doen't feel they have enough time to spend with patients
b. 67% an increase of 5% in 2 years. unable to detect complications early
c. 71% an increase of 3% are unable to maintain patient safety

Now what can WE DO about this?