Nursing Shortage

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm a nurse on a med/surg floor in a local hospital. The heat from the nusing shortage is obviously hitting hard...and fast! To suppliment the regular staff, agency nuses are being brought in...some who haven't worked in the hospital setting in years. There patient care to say the least is frightening!

I've spoken with my unit manager regarding the level of care these nurses provide and was basically confronted with "beggars can't be choosers." I've tried giving these nurses the "easier" patients and smaller patient loads, but it doesn't seem fair that someone who is bring home a killer paycheck should get away with doing less work.

Any sugesstions for dealing with this delema would be greatly appreciated, or any personal experiences with agency nurses. Does anyone know where all the nurses are going? Is there some miracle nursing jobs out there that I'm not aware of?

janqc

8 Posts

Originally posted by beano:

I'm a nurse on a med/surg floor in a local hospital. The heat from the nusing shortage is obviously hitting hard...and fast! To suppliment the regular staff, agency nuses are being brought in...some who haven't worked in the hospital setting in years. There patient care to say the least is frightening!

I've spoken with my unit manager regarding the level of care these nurses provide and was basically confronted with "beggars can't be choosers." I've tried giving these nurses the "easier" patients and smaller patient loads, but it doesn't seem fair that someone who is bring home a killer paycheck should get away with doing less work.

Any sugesstions for dealing with this delema would be greatly appreciated, or any personal experiences with agency nurses. Does anyone know where all the nurses are going? Is there some miracle nursing jobs out there that I'm not aware of?

I find it hard to believe there is an actual nursing shortage. I know schools, especially AD programs, pumping out RNs all the time. If anything, I think it's the working conditions that RNs are faced with that are forcing them to look elsewhere for work. If the hospitals would try to retain their nurses instead of paying for recruitment, it would make more sense. But, the experienced nurse is not respected. Any warm body will do, as long as they will cover the shift needed.

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beano

27 Posts

big smile

So where are all of these nurses going? Have they started other careers or just left the hospital setting?

I've only been a nurse for four years, but am quickly growing frustrated with the lack of support for nurses. I just read an artical today in the AJN (March 2000 issue, page 25) entitled Hospital Caregivers are in a Bad Mood. The article is a family memebers perspective on the attitude of hospital caregivers...if you haven't read it, you should.

Articles like this make me wonder why I edure the position that I am in. It seems as though in the public eye we can't do anything to their satisfaction, never mind the fact that I never take a dinner break, only pee once a shift, and am on my feet for nearly twelve hours.

At the end of the article, the author goes on to say that she is loosing sympathy (for nurses). As if we have control over the curcumstances that we find ourselves in! Let me know what you think of this article if you've read it.

Blue11RN

39 Posts

I agree with there is a nursing shortage, but I think hospitals created it. I for one left the hospital setting and went into Infusion therapy in Home care. I make much better money, work better hours and actually like my job. I was tired of the hospital overworking me and putting me down for not working harder. Why should I put my license on the line everyday when they don't care about me or the patients. I was tired of my feet hurting and killing my bladder. So, before I complain forever, just know that there are other places nurses can go to get a good job and don't have to kill themselves for it. I know I did and I am very happy. Even my friend and family have noticed a change!!!!

janqc

8 Posts

I know a nurse who went to work in a jewelry store, leaving her hospital job. Big pay cut but much less stress.

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NightOwl

21 Posts

I agree to some extent. I dont believe there is a full blown nursing shortage yet. I do believe nursing staff are leaving hospitals in droves looking for more money elsewhere.

Who can blame them. We have people who have been didicated employees for years who then find out that a new grad or a new nurse is being hired at a higher starting pay then they are making now.

THATS AN INSULT.

I WOULD QUIT TOO.

MQ Edna

1 Article; 1,741 Posts

We too are encountering a nursing shortage. Other hospitals are paying big hire-on packages that are difficult to compete with. I believe that we need to focus on retention of our qualified nurses more than recruitment (not that it isn't important also). I think hire-on packages are appealing, but they are not factors that retain nurses. It is very costly to orient new nurses then turnaround and lose them. I believe it is internal management conflicts and inconsistency that often lose nurses, I know that is a factor where I work. Good luck.

mcrow

36 Posts

I don't think there is a much of a shortage of nurses as there is staffing shortages. It seems to me that adimistrators think of nurses more as numbers than as people. I deceided to take charge of my own life. I searched around and found some wonderful people to work with. In my own home based business I am in charge of me. It is so exciting and wasn't nearly as hard to get started as I thought it would be. Get in charge of your own destiny. It is a great feeling.

NJDad

2 Posts

Hi everyone. My wife is an LPN and she works in NY, 100 miles away from our home in South Jersey. There are a lot of opportunities here in SJ for nursing jobs, but because of strange laws in NJ, DE & PA, my wife is denied an LPN only because she had her BSN from Manila and cannot pass her RN-NCLEX. Does anyone know of a work-around for her to get an LPN licence?

NightOwl

21 Posts

To BLUE11RN

Hi am a bit surprised by your response. You said that you went ot home care and are making more than hospital pay. Are they now paying more than before or is it because you do IV therapy?

I was in home care before and they paid less than hospitals do. Maybe I whould check out home care if thats the case. I did love the job but couldnt live on the money I made.

MissyS

13 Posts

Nursing schools are replacing only 30% of retiring nurses, that doesn't include the ones leaving the profession for more lucretative areas. Everyone is hit hard right now. Patients are demanding more and we have less help. I agree that hospitals should retain staff rather than just recruit. They are usually behind. Will they listen to us? NO! Why should they ask the professionals?

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Missy

Margy

15 Posts

Hi everyone... I believe the 'shortage' is orchestrated by the hospitals. Well, thats so in Australia. Hospitals now wont employ people full time so most of the staff complement are casuals who can be put off at any time. Therefore nurses are leaving the profession to obtain more secure work. Hospitals think nothing of augmenting staffing with agency nurses as they are cheaper in the long run. (ie no super or holidays etc)

Margy

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