nursing shortage???????

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Is there still a nursing shortage? If so where & how has it affected staffing & hours?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CV-ICU.

Yes, there is a nursing shortage, just read some of the other topics on this BS and you will know what it is doing to us. Nurses are tired of being forced to work overtime and being treated like dirt. Where are all of the nurses going? To different areas where we are treated with respect. Nurses are leaving hospitals in droves and patients are so much sicker than they were even 2 years ago- they require more skilled nurses and lowere patient staff ratios and hospitals and LTCs don't realize that we aren't slaves and no longer can cover or fill in for purposeful understaffing. We worry about unsafe nursing practice and putting our licenses on the line each day. Where are you from that you ask such a simple question? Surely you are not a nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I must agree that you cannot possibly be a working nurse ande not already know the answer to that. Moreover, I don't know how society can't realize how we are so overworked. I mean who hasn't sat in an ER for hours with a sick loved one before? You wait all day to be seen for 10 minutes. Nurses work exhaustively for 12, 16, even 24 hour shifts for lousy pay and unsafe working conditions. There are no weekends or holidays off, no christmas bonuses or incentives, and the hospitals will even try and get you to come to work on your vacation. This career is becoming less and less rewarding. I am scared for the future of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

NURSES RUN THE HOSPITALS!!!

I am very worried as well about the future of nursing. I have only been an RN for two years and already I can see some unsettling situations in the next 5 to 10 years.

First, it is true that in 1999 there was a drop in enrollments to nursing schools nation- wide. Second, the average age of a nurse in the US is 44, and many nurses are at the age of retirement. Third, baby boomers are most definitely aging and needing more health care.

I was just saying to my husband, why aren't Americans more concerned about this grave situation in health care? Low and behold, I saw a highlight of CBS evening news with Dan Rather and one of the stories on Dec. 28 was the nursing shortage. Well, it's about time the mainstream media WOKE UP!! If people only new what kinds of conditions they are headed for within a hospital, and how over worked, underpaid and short staffed their nurses are, they would be shaking with fear of any illness.

Nurses truly care and want to give the best to their patients. It is this healthcare as a business for profit that is so hard to understand and seems to be the root canal and the cavitiy all in one.

At my hospital, I recently found out that one of the CEO's got paid $ 543,080 last year, which translates to $2,088 per each DAY of work!!!! This does not even include the bonus pay of $70,000 he got according to the rumors around my unitl, I don't know for absolute sure if the bonus was this much, but it is pretty reliable. This means he made over a million dollars last year.

Now, I am not saying CEO's should not get paid a decent wage, but this is absolutely RIDICULOUS!!! Nurses are taking on more and more with little advancement in their pay so the CEO's and upper management can live in luxury and wealth. THE PATIENTS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY GETTING JIPPED! I feel so angry that administration is willing to do what they are doing.

If anyone saw the clip on CBS evening news last night, what did you think?

God help the sick and dying in the US ithe next 10 years. I certainly will be praying for them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

Is there really a shortages of RN's now? Or is it a shortage of RN's that are willing to work in the deploreable conditions found in a lot of hospitals today? If todays problem aren't solved the future of healthcare is truly frightening.(when hopefully I'll be needing it)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was recently online to our job postings & there were no job openings for RN's. I found

that rather odd in light of what is going on

around the country.I was looking to possibly transfere within my present work setting. I work part time as an RN & I was curious to see what else was available. In view of the frustration noted in your response,I find the lack of RN openings @ my hospital & in our entire local network of systems even more puzzling. I do agree with you about the

legalities & their impact on liscensure & the

impact as well on appropriate patient care.

Originally posted by Jenny P:

Yes, there is a nursing shortage, just read some of the other topics on this BS and you will know what it is doing to us. Nurses are tired of being forced to work overtime and being treated like dirt. Where are all of the nurses going? To different areas where we are treated with respect. Nurses are leaving hospitals in droves and patients are so much sicker than they were even 2 years ago- they require more skilled nurses and lowere patient staff ratios and hospitals and LTCs don't realize that we aren't slaves and no longer can cover or fill in for purposeful understaffing. We worry about unsafe nursing practice and putting our licenses on the line each day. Where are you from that you ask such a simple question? Surely you are not a nurse.

[This message has been edited by msdttob (edited December 29, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by msdttob (edited December 29, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by msdttob (edited January 03, 2001).]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

.

Originally posted by reg06:

NURSES RUN THE HOSPITALS!!!

I am very worried as well about the future of nursing. I have only been an RN for two years and already I can see some unsettling situations in the next 5 to 10 years.

First, it is true that in 1999 there was a drop in enrollments to nursing schools nation- wide. Second, the average age of a nurse in the US is 44, and many nurses are at the age of retirement. Third, baby boomers are most definitely aging and needing more health care.

I was just saying to my husband, why aren't Americans more concerned about this grave situation in health care? Low and behold, I saw a highlight of CBS evening news with Dan Rather and one of the stories on Dec. 28 was the nursing shortage. Well, it's about time the mainstream media WOKE UP!! If people only new what kinds of conditions they are headed for within a hospital, and how over worked, underpaid and short staffed their nurses are, they would be shaking with fear of any illness.

Nurses truly care and want to give the best to their patients. It is this healthcare as a business for profit that is so hard to understand and seems to be the root canal and the cavitiy all in one.

At my hospital, I recently found out that one of the CEO's got paid $ 543,080 last year, which translates to $2,088 per each DAY of work!!!! This does not even include the bonus pay of $70,000 he got according to the rumors around my unitl, I don't know for absolute sure if the bonus was this much, but it is pretty reliable. This means he made over a million dollars last year.

Now, I am not saying CEO's should not get paid a decent wage, but this is absolutely RIDICULOUS!!! Nurses are taking on more and more with little advancement in their pay so the CEO's and upper management can live in luxury and wealth. THE PATIENTS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY GETTING JIPPED! I feel so angry that administration is willing to do what they are doing.

If anyone saw the clip on CBS evening news last night, what did you think?

God help the sick and dying in the US ithe next 10 years. I certainly will be praying for them.

[This message has been edited by msdttob (edited December 29, 2000).]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Actually I saw the story on CBS after I posted this question. However,I unfortunately

do not believe it is going to have much of an impact on the way things are going to transpire. I hope & pray w/ all my heart that

you find some way to stay in nursing on a clinical level. You are thoughtful & insightful & I would venture to say you are that way in your work as well. I am afraid though that with the economy & political winds they are, we are in for worse. I believe this CEO

gets his money by making staffing as lean as he legally possibly can. With the way things are now & probably going to be he is going to continue to be rewarded for just that.

I am coming to see that this is the case, as I found that there were no job openings for RN's where I work. Thank-you for your response

Originally posted by reg06:

NURSES RUN THE HOSPITALS!!!

I am very worried as well about the future of nursing. I have only been an RN for two years and already I can see some unsettling situations in the next 5 to 10 years.

First, it is true that in 1999 there was a drop in enrollments to nursing schools nation- wide. Second, the average age of a nurse in the US is 44, and many nurses are at the age of retirement. Third, baby boomers are most definitely aging and needing more health care.

I was just saying to my husband, why aren't Americans more concerned about this grave situation in health care? Low and behold, I saw a highlight of CBS evening news with Dan Rather and one of the stories on Dec. 28 was the nursing shortage. Well, it's about time the mainstream media WOKE UP!! If people only new what kinds of conditions they are headed for within a hospital, and how over worked, underpaid and short staffed their nurses are, they would be shaking with fear of any illness.

Nurses truly care and want to give the best to their patients. It is this healthcare as a business for profit that is so hard to understand and seems to be the root canal and the cavitiy all in one.

At my hospital, I recently found out that one of the CEO's got paid $ 543,080 last year, which translates to $2,088 per each DAY of work!!!! This does not even include the bonus pay of $70,000 he got according to the rumors around my unitl, I don't know for absolute sure if the bonus was this much, but it is pretty reliable. This means he made over a million dollars last year.

Now, I am not saying CEO's should not get paid a decent wage, but this is absolutely RIDICULOUS!!! Nurses are taking on more and more with little advancement in their pay so the CEO's and upper management can live in luxury and wealth. THE PATIENTS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY GETTING JIPPED! I feel so angry that administration is willing to do what they are doing.

If anyone saw the clip on CBS evening news last night, what did you think?

God help the sick and dying in the US ithe next 10 years. I certainly will be praying for them.

[This message has been edited by msdttob (edited December 29, 2000).]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The frustration in your reply is evident & very understandable. I was curious because I had gone onto our online jobs listings site & there were no openings for any RN's anywhere in our system. This includes 2 large

hospitals a 350 bed & a 300 bed hospital; plus several satillite clinics & at least 2 smaller 100 - 150 bed facilities. Not only is there a nursing shortage but administration ,at least in this area, does not seem to want to address it. I agree with you that these inadequate conditions for appropriate patient care.

Originally posted by goldilocksrn:

I must agree that you cannot possibly be a working nurse ande not already know the answer to that. Moreover, I don't know how society can't realize how we are so overworked. I mean who hasn't sat in an ER for hours with a sick loved one before? You wait all day to be seen for 10 minutes. Nurses work exhaustively for 12, 16, even 24 hour shifts for lousy pay and unsafe working conditions. There are no weekends or holidays off, no christmas bonuses or incentives, and the hospitals will even try and get you to come to work on your vacation. This career is becoming less and less rewarding. I am scared for the future of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Where in the world are you located, that there are no open positions for RN's? Our facility has a bunch. Who owns your system and is it possible that your online site just has not been updated? Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by PPL:

Where in the world are you located, that there are no open positions for RN's?

It could just be that the hospital isnt trying to fill vacant positions. Thats one way to save money & maintain the profit margin. During negotiations, when we looked at the amount of dollars the hospital spent this year on nursing agencies, we were shocked to see that they had enough need for & spent enough money on agency nurses to have actually hired 55 full time RNs. Obviously the need to fill positions was there, they just werent trying to fill them. No wonder we were working like dogs! They had a ton of available positions but they werent posting them. They are now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Let me provide you with another little piece of joy - even though hospitals post jobs, they don't necessarily fill them. I know several nurses who are well qualified who have applied for jobs posted by big hospitals. Never heard a word from anyone. After filling out page after page of applications, not even a phone call. Call me a cynic, but I believe the posting of jobs is often an empty gesture to appease the nurses who are asking for help and are being told "We've posted the job!" - so we keep hanging on, hoping that little light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment