5 bucks per stitch

you will have to give us your definitions of "public" and "private" because there are different connotations. Basically, I am in favor of any program that provides care to the most people with the least cost. (HA!)

What I meant by public is a publicly accessed health system. In other words, a system where the government is the one responsible to paying provinical medical costs not the patient. A publicly accessible health care system also means that any person whether you be young or old rich or poor can access any medical resources available. However, it also means longer waitlists and less "aggressive" care. A private health care system is (to me) one that is run by a private company. This means it is NOT accessible to all people except those who can afford it. As I said before, the area I live in is looking to go from PUBLIC to PRIVATE. My biggest concern is how this impacts the nurses... their pay rate will be all over the scale! Not too mention changes in quality work environments (whether good or bad). I'm looking for nurses or anybody who shares any kind of opinion towards privatizing health care. I strongly feel it will has an impact on nurses but I'm wondering what kind of impact it actually has (pros and cons)

Originally posted by nursecrazy

What I meant by public is a publicly accessed health system. In other words, a system where the government is the one responsible to paying provinical medical costs not the patient. A publicly accessible health care system also means that any person whether you be young or old rich or poor can access any medical resources available. However, it also means longer waitlists and less "aggressive" care. A private health care system is (to me) one that is run by a private company. This means it is NOT accessible to all people except those who can afford it. As I said before, the area I live in is looking to go from PUBLIC to PRIVATE. My biggest concern is how this impacts the nurses... their pay rate will be all over the scale! Not too mention changes in quality work environments (whether good or bad). I'm looking for nurses or anybody who shares any kind of opinion towards privatizing health care. I strongly feel it will has an impact on nurses but I'm wondering what kind of impact it actually has (pros and cons)

You just answered it yourself. There won't be any waiting lists, and there will be more aggressive care. Which should increase demand in nursing, and you'll be paid in the private sector not the public which should also increase your pay.

Actually private sector may not increase pay. Private hospitals are all about the bottom line...they are expected to increase profits on a quarterly basis. They do whatever they can to keep spending to a minimum.

Now if they're smart, they would keep a largerl, well-paid nursing staff, but that usually means lower salaries. They aren't going to do something that cuts investors returns if they can help it.

Originally posted by cyberkat

Actually private sector may not increase pay. Private hospitals are all about the bottom line...they are expected to increase profits on a quarterly basis. They do whatever they can to keep spending to a minimum.

Now if they're smart, they would keep a largerl, well-paid nursing staff, but that usually means lower salaries. They aren't going to do something that cuts investors returns if they can help it.

Simple economics supply and demand. One hospital I used to work for had hundreds of Canadians flying in every year to have procedures done. I'm thinking the reverse isn't happening not to many Americans flying into other borders to have things done. I also now a bunch of Canadian nurse's flying down here to work. I don't think their coming all the way down here to earn less money.