Why do you think hospitals have been slow to tap into the supply of retired nurses

CATHYW · Jun 12, 2002

I think you are all over it, Oramar! If a nurse has been able to retire, why would she want to go back to crummy hours, forced overtime, abuse from patients and family (in some places) abuse from management and medical staff, and working so short-staffed that it would endanger his/her health and well-being? Plus, I haven't mentioned the pay rate...

mattsmom81 · Jun 12, 2002

Hospitals would rather import a huge percentage of another country's nurses.... Africa and Phillipines for example.... than deal with older American nurses, who won't dance to their tune.

The hospitals will continue to import nurses until someone makes them stop, and forces them to deal with the complaints of American nurses.

Does anyone think someone ELSE will make them stop??

Until Nurses unionize, empower ourselves and begin to lobby and force legislation, the import of 'third world nurses' will continue...and greedy hospital corporations and administrators will get richer.

fedupnurse · Jun 12, 2002

Because they are stupid. They are penny wise and pound foolish. They fail to recognize that experience is THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY any bedside nurse can possess. Book knowledge and initials after your name are great but if you don't knowwhat to do when your patient is circling the drain, you are of no use to that patient. We need experienced nurses to provide the insight and knowledge for the new grads. Hire them to just precept for crying out loud. They know their stuff and can also free up the other staff for patient care rather than trying to precept and provide care to too many patients.

There were editorials in the Asbury Park Press today regarding the Nursing Shortage. One nurse (a manager) blamed our negative outlook on the profession for people not coming in. I don't buy that. My 17 year old nephew is looking at careers based on how much he will pull in in the long haul. Those who want to be nurses, real nurses, not suits, know when we go into it that we will achieve our max pay rather quickly. ANother nurse blamed the fact that we all don't belong to the ANA. Doubt that would do it either. Another wrote about working conditions and such and was right on the money. That is why we can't keep people or get them to come back.

Gomer · Jun 12, 2002

As Yogi Bear would say: Because "retired" nurses are smarter than the average bear.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 12, 2002

I agree w/ all here. Too bad. WHAT A HORRIBLE waste...our most precious resources are retired nurses...ones who know their way around the block and can show yung-uns like ME a think or two or ...more......

I think it is a stinking shame. But I dont' blame them (retired and older, wiser nurses and health care providers), for not wanting to take cr@p in today's stressful environment....like fedup said so well--------> PENNY WISE, POUND FOOLISH! UGH!

prn nurse · Jun 12, 2002

I have observed the foreign nurses for more than ten years. IF you think they CARE a rats' *SS about your old grandma or grandpa, think again !! You better hope in the middle of the night, there is an aide who will tend to their needs. The foreign nurses give them their meds and that is it !! And I have observed them taking care of one of their own, different story.....TLC and compassion, caring and support 24/7. For American elderly and ill, they pass meds and then hot foot it back to nurses station....if patient calls for anything at all, they will not go, will wait for an available aide to go.

adrienurse, LPN · Jun 12, 2002

I'm gonna pretend I didn't read that post above. Hopefully you don't really believe that and you're just trying to get us all fired up.

P.S. I don't know a "retired" nurse that actually is RETIRED.

They've gotten to them all.

stevie b · Jun 12, 2002

Sadly, I must say at least in my facility,PRN NURSE post is correct.

Many other issues,but just the absolute apothy stands out.Now I will duck, but, Truth is Truth

live4today, RN · Jun 12, 2002

Originally posted by stevie b
Sadly, I must say at least in my facility,PRN NURSE post is correct.
Many other issues,but just the absolute apothy stands out.Now I will duck, but, Truth is Truth

If that is the truth, and you both know about it, then I sure hope you who are aware of this behavior are doing something about it...turning the deadbeat nursing staff in to the proper authorities, etc. NO NURSE should sit by and knowingly know that abuse of this type is going on with patients.

I'm a nurse who has been out of the field for five years, but anxious to return. WHY??? Because I love being a nurse. I love nursing! I love nursing patients! Yes, I want to see change occur in nursing for the better, and that is why I still want to very much be a part of a fantastic career such as nursing. If I EVER witness a nurse neglecting a patient, I won't hesitate to bring it to her/his attention FIRST. If receiving a warning doesn't stop them from doing what they do, THEN I will report them. Ignore it? NEVER! :nono: :nurse:

Rustyhammer · Jun 12, 2002

I believe that there are good and not so good nurses working in this country that are local and foriegn.

Not really right to lump them into one group like that.

I am glad to have a good hand on the team regardless of where they are from.

-Russell

mattsmom81 · Jun 13, 2002

I have seen what PRN has described in units with a large group of Filipinas. They become verrrry cliqueish, stick up for each other at all costs, and attack en mass anyone who criticizes one of their group. They become very hostile. I have seen them run off non Filipinas and dominate a shift and/or a unit.

Sounds like it's not an isolated event, as I've seen this posted multiple times. Perhaps we as American nurses are sensitized to it because of the poor conditions we've worked for so many years....only to see the hospital's answer be to import foreign nurses vs deal with our concerns.

I have seen this before too: 'See the future of American Nurses...it's an import business'.