Nursing image and nursing shortage

Hi,
I graduated in 1971 from a three year diploma program (last class D/T 4 year degree push) and have worked in my chosen profession since then. For the last 22 years, I have been in Home care. In May of 2003, I began a RN to BSN program -finally the stars were all aligned!!!! This has been a great program and has validated what knowledge I have gained over the years.
Currently, I am in the middle of a project for this course on Nursing image and the nursing shortage. Because of my home care focus, I am out of sync with other specialties. I would appreciate any feedback you have concerning:
1. the push to have all nurses degreed
2. articles that state nurses are not easily identified
by both their dress and behaviior ie. clean up after MD's,
appear to defer to MD's-ie. "I have to ask the doctor-
instead of "I will consult with the doctor"
3. do you feel your nursing management effectively deals
with issues that concern their staff-for example-I was talking
to a nurse who was teaching a patient about diabetes and
the physican who was an Indian (not an American
indian) went ballistic on her and yelled at her in front of
other staff that she could not do that-nothing was said
to this physician.
4. Do you think that if the nursing shortage (if you think
there is one) continues-will nursing continue to be devalued
and nursing tasks will be assingned to non-nursing staff?
5. What do you say to people who express an interest in
nursing and do you recommend a degreed program?
I realize this is lengthy. I appreciate any feedback you are willing to give.
Thanking you in advance.
Cyndy