No Nurse Shortage in Southern WV

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 3, 2005

I never knew there was a shortage in that area to start with. Quite a few areas are very rural, so there's not much for opportunity and change.

(Which is one reason why i don't live there anymore)

afarru · May 18, 2005

every nurse around wv i know can find a job really easy.

SPN2BLPN · Jun 30, 2005

Hospitals and clinics in my area are hiring GPN's, and GN like crazy right now. We have a horrible shortage.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jun 30, 2005

Hospitals and clinics in my area are hiring GPN's, and GN like crazy right now. We have a horrible shortage.

What area? Turn over is high because of working conditions, low pay and attitude of many administrations. They can always find another nurse or so they think.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jun 30, 2005

every nurse around wv i know can find a job really easy.

sure they can, they drive to va, ohio, nc, and other places to make decent money. locally here in southern wv, things stink for nursing.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jun 30, 2005

Sorry guys, I was surprised that the Network West Virginia would even run such a blatent untruth, much less expect people to fall for this line. There is a nursing shortage here, just be a patient in a facility and wait for meds, assistance to BR, dressing change or water. I know there are many facilities here that need nurses and other trained assistive persons, but will they hire them? The old low salaries, too heavy a work assignment, and lack of decent benefits hinders many facilities from keeping many long term staffers.

I will now get off the soap box and once again, keep off of this site for an extended period. I just am tired of attempting to get nurses involved in trying to change the status of nursing here in WV.

OgreRN · Jul 1, 2005

I know there are many facilities here that need nurses and other trained assistive persons, but will they hire them? The old low salaries, too heavy a work assignment, and lack of decent benefits hinders many facilities from keeping many long term staffers.

greetings all,

I worked in WV as a RN in Parkersburg. Got fed up with the administration and the constant cuts in care while all the while increasing their own pay. Talking to friends seems like The CCMH CEO TC still hasn't changed.. Made lots of promises during a Unionizing attempt. But those were written on the wind. Unfortunately little choice in a small town, You work for TC or you go to work for CAMC that just bought St.joe.

Moved here to Louisville KY 4 years ago. I interviewed at 6 different places, all the pay offers were within a dollar of each other. Now tell me that a bunch of administrators have not gotten together a decided what they would pay their nurses. I went agency. Big bucks 35-45/hr, but no bennies, and alot of cancels. But, it paid the bills and gave me time to look and find a place I liked. Walked in as a new employee to a Union shop getting 5 weeks vac. Took me 19 years to get that at CC. $12 more on the hour than I was getting at CC as well, with affordable health care and matching retirement. Point is with good pay great benefits at new job, in a town with lots and lots of nurses, we still are short staffed. Now that may be in part to hiring practices.

The current training of HealthCare Administrators teaches them to follow and apply an industrial model for health care. When making cars, or radios.. the design doesnt change or have the potential to change minute to minute, so it works. But, the industrial model doesnt make for good patient care, we all know that. For our Pt's, for ourselves, Nurses need to organize. We are a neccesity. The hospitals cannot function without us. Time to start telling these administrators what is best for our pts. Not to be staffed by using forced OT, to have a say in nurse/patient ratio's. We need to stand together. Only way things will change.

I work in a place where we have a say.

It is a nice change. You should try it.

SPN2BLPN · Jul 1, 2005

What area? Turn over is high because of working conditions, low pay and attitude of many administrations. They can always find another nurse or so they think.

North Eastern WV. Several facilities have chosen to hire GPN's and GN's, rather than "experienced" professionals. I have yet to hear or understand any of the explanations given, but it doesn't seem right to me. When I know more, I'll reply.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jul 1, 2005

greetings all,
I worked in WV as a RN in Parkersburg. Got fed up with the administration and the constant cuts in care while all the while increasing their own pay. Talking to friends seems like The CCMH CEO TC still hasn't changed.. Made lots of promises during a Unionizing attempt. But those were written on the wind. Unfortunately little choice in a small town, You work for TC or you go to work for CAMC that just bought St.joe.
Moved here to Louisville KY 4 years ago. I interviewed at 6 different places, all the pay offers were within a dollar of each other. Now tell me that a bunch of administrators have not gotten together a decided what they would pay their nurses. I went agency. Big bucks 35-45/hr, but no bennies, and alot of cancels. But, it paid the bills and gave me time to look and find a place I liked. Walked in as a new employee to a Union shop getting 5 weeks vac. Took me 19 years to get that at CC. $12 more on the hour than I was getting at CC as well, with affordable health care and matching retirement. Point is with good pay great benefits at new job, in a town with lots and lots of nurses, we still are short staffed. Now that may be in part to hiring practices.
The current training of HealthCare Administrators teaches them to follow and apply an industrial model for health care. When making cars, or radios.. the design doesnt change or have the potential to change minute to minute, so it works. But, the industrial model doesnt make for good patient care, we all know that. For our Pt's, for ourselves, Nurses need to organize. We are a neccesity. The hospitals cannot function without us. Time to start telling these administrators what is best for our pts. Not to be staffed by using forced OT, to have a say in nurse/patient ratio's. We need to stand together. Only way things will change.
I work in a place where we have a say.
It is a nice change. You should try it.

Are you working in Ohio at a facility that has a college affiliation? Or the VA?

Because there is no place in the area you describe that offers that sort of benefits and pay unless it is one of those. I do know CCMH touted "big things are coming" but that seems to have fallen by the wayside. St. Joe's will be another high tech, low touch, harried, and horrible branch of CAMC. I know CAMC, bless the nurses who work there, day after day, being told, we pay a fair salary, we pay for your skills, but in reality, the CEO gets the bucks and the staff gets the pennies. Did you see where they are dropping insurance coverage for retirees to pay for the purchase of HCA's facilities(that is the way the retirees see it)?

I know nothing about Huntington, anybody in that area have any input?

I have been told over and over again, many nurses are travelling to Ohio and working weekends, short 2 or 3 day stints and coming home for the rest of the week. I know one nurse who has agreed to do it if she can talk hubby into letting her be gone 2 nights a week. WOW, 2 whole nights while he is passed out from drinking beer. Too much for me .

OgreRN · Jul 1, 2005

WOW, 2 whole nights while he is passed out from drinking beer. Too much for me .

LOL.. I do work at the VA.. I am an ER nurse. While working agency I got to sample several of the different hospitals in the area. I was amazed at the VA. Nurses came out of rooms and stopped me to say hello and introduce themselves since I was a new face.. and that was while I was working there as Agency. When I came on full time, I got hugs, and congrats.

Now you have those that like to whine.. those that complain that the coins in their pockets are too heavy.. that comes with the job.. you just make a barbed joke and go on. Good sarcasm is an artform. heh.

But over all.. I work with some great folks.

Some of the people I knew in my agency days do the 3 day weekend thing up in Cinci, share motel expenses, have the rest of the week off.

Pretty sweet..

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Jul 1, 2005

Frankly, I am tired of the same old song and dance here. I have applied for my Ohio license, have spoken with an agency or two, and have some plans. I just do not want to hear about how NO ONE does it differently anymore. I know the VA has some good folks working there and others, well, they do not like a job anywhere. I am glad you are happy and wish you much continued success in your choice of VA nursing. The vets deserve all we give them and more, I am reminded of that everyday. Have a happy 4th.