[ingelein]

Originally Posted by RunningWithScissors

In my area, the nurses at the local VA hospital make the most anywhere in the region. Only problem is, the VA system makes you roate shifts. They also have THE BEST by far staffing ratios. And, there is no such thing as a "low census day". Only one patient one the unit? If all nurses scheduled want to stay and work, they can and do.

My sister also works in a VA hospital. She has only worked there for a couple of years after working in LTC for most of her career, she has told me she wishes she would'nt have believed all the hype about poor wages and working conditions in the VA, because her pension would have been even better than it will be now. Job satisfaction and care is better than any LTC she ever worked in.

[BlueRidgeHomeRN]

Originally Posted by EMS RN 7

the majority of Americans will simply not put up with the hassles true universal health care brings.

Why--what's wrong with eight to twelve bed wards, waiting 4 hours for general appointments, waiting 4 months for a lap choley, and being treated as an annoyance rather than a customer (although the latter may be a poor example!)

[graysonret]

If you have been following healthcare in Canada, England and Australia, etc., you would notice how it is overburdened, politically correct and failing. Brits are heading to India to get their operations now...less wait time. MRIs are now at least 8 months. Want to wait 8 months after hearing you may have a tumor? Just recently premie twins were born in a small hospital in Montana. The Canadian mother couldn't find a place to have them properly. Government control of any industry is a failure...history proves that. Socialism just doesn't work, like the free enterprise system. Deregulate and let the market compete. Always works. As far as being a nurse under government healthcare....no. I respect my patients too much to have to see them suffer under such a system. There is even some talk about reassigning nurses into areas that are understaffed...whether you like it or not. Sorry, I'm out of here, if that comes.

[BlueRidgeHomeRN]

Originally Posted by graysonret

Just recently premie twins were born in a small hospital in Montana. The Canadian mother couldn't find a place to have them properly. Government control of any industry is a failure...history proves that. .

Here's the link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300939,00,html

Was going to make this point as well--are Americans ready to let 24 week twins and 93 year olds on dialysis, TPN, and a vent die without a lawsuit so that everyone has a PCP??

Didn't think so..

[reznurse]

I have seen on the news that many Americans are going to India for surgery; it has nothing to do with universal health care in Canada, England and Australia. I worked w/two Brits when I was teaching jr high, and they were appalled by the health care system here. I also have spent time in Canada and the healthcare system there is excellent. Don't buy into corporate slandor when they talk negatively about other healthcare systems around the world. It isn't factual.
Also, I have worked at a VA hospital and the pay is good. It is amazing the number of people they provide care for with the budget they have. I also worked for the US Public Health Service, and again the pay was excellent. I guess when you take away 7 figure CEO salaries, and cut out the needless middlemen (insurance thieves) then you can do more healthcare for less money.
As for how we could pay for universal healthcare, tax Bill Gates.

[graysonret]

I haven't heard about very many Americans going to India for surgery. Try England. Oh, if Americans were going there, you could guarantee that CNN, NBC, MSNBC would be all over that story. This site might help:

http://socglory.blogspot.com/

If Canada's system is so fantastic, why are they coming here for medical treatment, instead of the other way around? Even if you could afford treatment there, you go to jail along with the doctor for trying to pay for it. You have to wait in line like everyone else. Tax Bill Gates? A young man with a friend who both had an idea and started it in the garage. Years later, it became a billion dollar business. Is that wrong? That is supposed to be the American dream and why this country became so great. Average people with ideas. But, apparently, you think people like that should be punished for their success. Well, if you become a successful nurse, maybe the government will take your suggestion and tax you more than some other nurse, based on your "success". Welcome to socialism and the Soviet system.

[reznurse]

Americans don't go to Canada to seek healthcare b/c we can't. Their system is free for their citizens but not for Americans b/c we don't pay taxes there. Last summer I saw (on MSNBC, and NBC nightly news) stories of Americans going to India on surgery Vacations. I do pay more taxes than most nurses (inherited natural gas wells from my grandfather) and I am fine with that. I think that paying more taxes to help with healthcare for those more needy than I would be a great thing b/c it has the potential to make my country a nicer place to live. Of course I don't think that the success of Bill Gates is wrong. I do think that charging hundreds of dollars for a monolpolized operating system is.

[HM2Viking]

Originally Posted by nrsggrl

Will universal health care affect nursing? I don't know how it will affect US nurses, because universal health care is all we've known here. I can tell you that as an RN only practicing for a year, I make nearly $30/hr, have good extended benefits and dental, and a good pension. I work in a major city on a surgical floor where the ratio is 1 nurse to 4 patients on day shift and 1 nurse to 6/7 patients on nights. Not bad. Now, in no way are our hospitals hotels. Depending on how the hospital chooses to spend the money it receives from the government, you may find some that provide shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste etc... but then on the flip side had to lay off a number of nurses in the last few years. At the hospital I work at, we don't provide those "luxuries". When patients question me about this.... I simply say that paying for and providing life saving medications, and nursing care are more important and perhaps you can have a family member bring you in your favourite hand lotion. More often than not though, I encourage them to write to the provincial government and minister of health about why they think such luxuries should be included in a health care budget. lol

Your wages and benefits are nearly identical to what MN nurses receive in the twin cities...

[HM2Viking]

Originally Posted by Wade21

If any of you want to know how a Universal health care system would work in the USA. all you need do is look at the socialized health care systems that now exist and how they operate. I speak of the VA health care system and Medicaid.
Keep in mind that these systems provide for only a SMALL percentage of the US population. I need say no more.

The VA provides excellent care. I have posted links to an article that describes VA quality vs other major health care providers in the US. The VA wins by comparison.

[reznurse]

yes the VA does provide quality care. So does IHS, the federal bereau of prisons, essentially all government run hospitals.