$10M to Study the Nursing Shortage

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

If and only if the industry heeds the advice and recommendations of the findings. Too often people read these studies and say "something has to be done" and then go out to lunch.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

This issue has been studied ad nauseaum and nothing is ever done about the problem. This is just one more dumb attempt to look like something is being done while being a convenient out to not have taken action yet.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Sep 23, 2006

According to the article, "The causes of the nursing shortage include rapid population growth in several states, decline in nurses' earnings, an aging nursing work force, low job satisfaction, poor working conditions, and an increasingly diverse patient population requiring intensive health services."

So....Looks like they got it figured out already. Why don't they take the $10M and start addressing those issues?

Ann RN · Sep 23, 2006

Take that $10 million and give us a raise. Forget about "studies". I have never seen a hospital follow the recommendations. We are responsible for patients' lives. Pay us what we deserve.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

I have to agree with Ann and Gonzo. Also in my opinion these "studies" are just another way of someone to create a job for someone. Unless the facility has hired them directly to do a study for their hospital/home their study will mean nothing to anyone but who hired them to do it.

Ask any nurse, they know why there is a "shortage", that would save them the 10M they say they will spend. By the way,, my guess is most of that will go to someone's wages in the form of "administrative" costs.

RebeccaJeanRN · Sep 23, 2006

I agree with ALL of the above: its one more study that isn't needed because all the info is already in front of them- better to use the $10M to address the problems!! (like instructor shortages in CCs????) Maybe they hope that if they keep doing studies, they'll be able to 'prove' again that nursing is really a vocation and that better pay isn't important for all of us who should go into nursing for the "right reasons" and not care about fair pay or earning enough to support our families- just like that last Bozo in England tried to claim with his 'study'? (and which they would NEVER try to shove down the throats of Doctors...) :angryfire

HyperRNRachel · Sep 23, 2006

According to the article, "The causes of the nursing shortage include rapid population growth in several states, decline in nurses' earnings, an aging nursing work force, low job satisfaction, poor working conditions, and an increasingly diverse patient population requiring intensive health services."
So....Looks like they got it figured out already. Why don't they take the $10M and start addressing those issues?

:yeahthat:

:deadhorse

HyperRNRachel · Sep 23, 2006

They can give me the 10 million and I will tell them what is up and how to fix it!

I will even go as far as to buy everyone lunch while I put on my presentation!

Rachel

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

I have not read the article but we already know there is a shortage .Why not use that 10 M and hire more teachers to get more nurses graduated and ready to work.

Jules A, MSN · Sep 23, 2006

Why not use that 10 M and hire more teachers to get more nurses graduated and ready to work.

Duh, because that might actually provide some positive results! I can't believe they are dumping more money into this subject what a waste.

I second the vote to give it to Rachel at least we'd get a sandwich out of the deal. :wink2:

hollyvk, BSN · Sep 24, 2006

Ask any nurse, they know why there is a "shortage", that would save them the 10M they say they will spend. By the way,, my guess is most of that will go to someone's wages in the form of "administrative" costs.

The $10M is being distributed in $250,000 grants to non-profit foundations that come up with proposals for programs to alleviate the nursing shortage (the non-profits have to cough up at least $125,00 of their own funds for these projects). SO, yes, some administrative types will probably reap the majority of financial benefits from these programs.

And what pray tell have they come up with as programs? Here are a couple of my favorites:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation (Michigan)

- Nursing for Life: RN Career Transition Program will extend the careers of experienced nurses in Michigan, by developing a transition/training program into non-acute care settings, such as long-term care, home care, hospice, and ambulatory care. (Yes, we will have RNs with walkers working in 2020). :uhoh21:

St. James Healthcare Foundation (Montana)

- Academy of Advanced Nursing Workforce Solutions will provide nursing students a career success skills program in order to retain them in the nursing workforce in Montana. (And this will involve hypnosis maybe? Repeat to yourself, "I love my job" 50 time a day.) :bugeyes:

I think the best outcome for the $10M will be funding programs to help with addressing the shortage of nursing instructors willing to work for current salaries. (Pay them more! :w00t: You don't see this problem with programs for pharmacist or engineer training.)

HollyVK, RN, BSN, JD