Nursing Shortage Makes the Prime Time News!

-jt · Jan 17, 2001

Originally posted by -jt:
After receiving an avalanche of mail from nurses about how the show looks as though nurses dont even exist in that hospital, 24/7 Johns Hopkins show will be featuring stories about nurses & the integral part they play in healthcare. Series starts Jan 28th.

Must be all those letters this show got from nurses telling them they made it look like nurses didnt exist at that hospital actually had an impact.......

" Series Features Nurses on the Discovery Health Channel

The Discovery Health Channel is running a five-part series titled "Nurses," which takes a behind-the-scenes look at nurses as they go about their daily rounds.

The stories are based on interviews with nurses at John Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, working in five different specialties - pediatrics, critical care, obstetrics/neonatal, oncology and psychiatric nursing. The stories are compelling and capture real-life situations that focus on the critical thinking skills, as well as the compassion of nurses.

Nurses from a variety of backgrounds and experiences were interviewed for the program. The series begins airing on Jan. 28, at 8 and 9 p.m., focusing on pediatric and critical care nurses, respectively. It will continue on Feb. 18, at 8, 9, and 10 p.m., featuring obstetric, oncology and psychiatric nurses, respectively........"
American Nurses Association | News: ANA News..

Maybe they even took your suggestion & followed an RN for the day. Cant wait to see this.

Details.......

mustangsheba · Jan 18, 2001

I am so pleased to see some truly constructive ideas here. I do believe our primary focus should be on the media, followed by our legislators. It would be good if when we write to one, we send copies to all the others, i.e., a letter to CBS generates a copy to the Prez, our state Governors, our senators and representatives and especially to anyone of any influence who has shown an interest in this cause. I think the MNM is a nice idea, but I feel it is something that will make us as nurses feel closer without having any real impact on the desired outcome. We need the media on our side, intensely and passionately involved. What about Diane Sawyer? Barbara?Who else can anyone think of? Oprah! We have some really powerful writers or maybe we can just overwhelm them with numbers. Your turns.

-jt · Jan 18, 2001

Originally posted by mustangsheba:
Oprah! We have some really powerful writers or maybe we can just overwhelm them with numbers. Your turns

Oprah was flooded with letters from nurses a while ago when she did that story of work in the ER & neglected to mention that we even exist. As far as I know, she hasnt replied.

fergus51 · Jan 19, 2001

Reg,

I wasn't defending the Canadian system to you, it was cargal that offended me (I wonder if she's ever worked here?). The rest of my post was in response to your question.

longforseaair · Jan 19, 2001

Mr. Buckley scares me when he implies that the most of what nurses do is take routine measurements and change bedpans. Read it and that is what he implies!

We all know that it can be complicated to even change a bedpan in some instances and that it requires even some skill to accurately take routine vitals.

We all know how it is to work with a new assistant doing these tasks. Insecure!

Did they get the cuff on correctly? Did they retake the temp if it was too high/low or even hold the typanic in the ear correctly? Not to mention the important assessment info gathered by a valuable assistant or the nurse themself during the most "lowly" of tasks? It can waste a lot of time keeping on top of an unreliable assistant who doesn't report vitals promptly. Or even the characteristics of stools. And I doubt that many 18 year-old VOLUNTEERS want to collect a UA or guaic. Otherwise, they would become an assistant or nurse themselves, hah! Then, we are back to square one.

Am I wrong or is that what he wrote? That these tasks are a main part of what nurses do.

-jt · Jan 19, 2001

Am I wrong or is that what he wrote? That these tasks are a main part of what nurses do.
He did write that & as usualfor someone who isnt an RN, he has no idea what hes talking about. They arent tasks. They are interventions & the assessment we make from the simplest one can tell us a great deal. I prefer to auscultate the BP myself rather than use an automatic cuff & have a tech write down numbers. What does that tell me? I need to HEAR the sounds. So what if the pulse is 66. I need to touch the pt. is the pulse 66 & weak? is it strong? are there any irregular beats? is the skin clammy & cool? Important info & assessment all obtained from just counting a pulse. Info that could tip off early that something is going wrong. The powers that be who are attempting to tell us how they will fix our profession & practice when they dont understand a thing about it have to be told in no uncertain terms that we are not going to allow that. I got the same thing you did from Buckleys article.

bbnurse · Jan 19, 2001

Interesting posts by many nurses addressing real issues. While I agree with many comments, I do disagree with the generalizations that hospitals control the nursing school and therefore create the nursing shortage we face. In the midwest, there are no longer applicants for nursing schools to fill the classes. In the past, there were 200 applicants for 25 positions. Now there are no waiting lists. Not only are there fewer applicants, those who do apply require remedial math and science to proceed. The quality of applicants is diminished. Hospitals are providing tuition reimbursements for NA or LPNs to pursue the education towards RN.

Our hospital has many long term nurses and we are told frequently that the quality of our patient care is increased by the presence of "experienced, knowledgeable and long term nurses". Without the expensive long term nurses, we have no strength, nor foundation to build upon. Green nurses are vital to bring new knowledge and freshness to the old, but to replace??? NEVER!! We not only live this philosophy, we do believe it.

There is loyalty and trust and it is reciprocal.

Our CEO and VPs do not make anywhere near the dollars you mention. I'm sure it is comfortable but less than 120,000/yr. Some nurse managers may leave at 4Pm, but ours stay until the care is delivered in a safe manner with appropriate numbers of staff. Our nurse pt ratio is routinely within safe numbers and we have a large RN and LPN mix.

Maybe you need to relocate to the midwest. I know there are a few slots open for both education and for nurses who want a home where they are appreciated and trusted to develop into honest, loyal and compassionate caregivers. I wish what I have read on these postings were not truths. I realize they are, in some places. I have worked in Connecticut and know it was not an easy place to be working. I know why nurses have trouble getting what we need...we are too tired and it takes all we have, to get through the red tape, charting, regulations and demands...All this has to change. I'm happy that it is getting better where I am.

I also disliked the blurb and was yelling at the TV when it was aired. They have my opinion about it too. And my husbands.

Keep the fires alive...

-jt · Jan 21, 2001

All this has to change. I'm happy that it is getting better where I am.
I also disliked the blurb and was yelling at the TV when it was aired. They have my opinion about it too. And my husbands.
Keep the fires alive......
The "NuRSES" series on the Discovery Health Channel.....
"It presents today's nurses, who are no longer a doctor's "second string"
but are the vital link to the patient. NURSES features inspiring real-life
stories as nurses and patients face death and disease. The series focuses on
individual nurses, their emotionally intense daily routines, their sophisticated skills, and their compassion.
The series schedule is as follow:
January 28, 8 pm (ET). NURSES: PEDIATRICS. Pediatric nurses lend their
expertise and emotional support to patients and parents.
January 28, 9 pm (ET). NURSES: CRITICAL CARE.
The high-stress,high-tech world of the ER, OR, and ICU.
February 18, 8 pm (ET). NURSES: BATTLING FOR BABIES.
The emotionally-charged world of obstetrics and neonatal intensive care nursing.
February 18, 9 pm (ET). NURSES: TOUCH OF MERCY.
Nurses face the daunting task of keeping cancer patients from losing hope.
February 18, 10 pm (ET). NURSES: NURSING THE MIND.
Psychiatric nurses and the challenge of treating patients with severe mental
illness.
The American Nurses Association states that the launching of the series is an excellent opportunity to place local news stories or schedule print and broadcast interviews with deans, faculty, or students on the emerging
nursing shortage, current health
care research by nurses, expanding practice roles for today's RNs,and the rich array of career opportunities in contemporary nursing inside and beyond hospitals.
For more information on the series or its scheduling, contact:
Stacy Troubh
Discovery Health Channel
(301) 771-4144
[email protected] ...."