[ARBY]

Hi, I've posted this on other forums but want to include your thought in case you only visit this forum.

I recently sent a letter to the editor of our newspaper responding to their recent article about the nursing shortage. He replied to me that he would like me to expand my letter so that it could be used in the Sunday Opinion section.

I stated to him that even though the nursing population is frequently refered to as "aging", many hospitals require us to work 12hour shifts. Due to hospital cuts we are assigned more patients and due to insurance requirements, the patients are much sicker. I stated that in some areas, the person who checks you out at the grocery store has better benefits and is paid more than nurses. I wrote much more but ended my letter by saying that hospitals are losing a wealth of knowledge and experience when they lose their "aging nursing population".

PLEASE HELP. This is our chance to let the public hear our concerns.

If you work in a hospital, how many patients are you assigned on a typical day? What is the care level of those patients? How are you treated by the doctors you work with? What dutied do you have to do that you don't consider "nursing"? Approx. whay is your pay?

If you can think of anything else, please let me know. No names will be used in my "expanded letter" so please, be honest.

I have to have this letter sent to him by Monday, Dec. 23, so PLEASE RESPOND!!!

Thank you...maybe we can make a difference.

[trishrnc1985]

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

[ARBY]

I just wanted to thank you for your respnse to my post. My letter was e-mailed to the editor this morning and I will let you know if they use it as they said they would.

Thank you again for your help.