They just DON'T get it. Sort of like talking Chinese to someone who only understands English; not communicating--not even on the same wavelength. Had a bigwig from a neighboring large hospital call the director of our nursing school, asking us in desperation if we could increase enrollment at our small community college nursing school (ADN). Of course we cannot; do not have the nursing instructors and don't have the facility to do so even IF we had the extra help. This administrator told our director that this HUGE hospital is now short XXX nurses. Well, hello, what about RETENTION???? Why are all your nurses leaving??? This particular institution is losing nurses so fast, that it is like a patient who is hemorrhaging, about to code. The administrators seem oblivious to it all. It brings to mind an old quote (don't remember the source), "There is none so blind as one who is willingly so." That about sums it up. You can tell these people what is wrong with their institution until you are blue in the face... WHY all of their nurses are leaving. They just don't hear you because you are telling them something they just DON'T WANT to hear, plain and simple. It is SO very frustrating. I am convinced that the majority of nursing administration in this hospital is STUCK in an 80's and early 90's mindset and can't adapt or accept the nursing situation as it is NOW, in the year 2002. I am further convinced that the nursing problems at this hospital won't be solved until the current "generation" of nursing managers dies off. By then, sadly, it just may be too late...