I didn't know the shortage was THIS bad

[VickyRN]

Just visited a unit today in preparation for my students taking clinicals there. On this particular unit, ONE HALF of the nurses are travelers. The unit only houses 6 pods (4-pt module) and one pod was closed down simply because a nurse had called in sick and there was no one available to replace her (plenty of patients, no where to put them). The most interesting fact was something one of the travelers said.... one company is now offering $35,000 COLD HARD CASH for just a SIX WEEK CONTRACT!!!! WOW!!! With money like this being shelled out by the agencies and travel companies, it is little wonder that the hospitals cannot keep staff.

[RyanRN]

You've misread my point perhaps by my examples. Tis not exactly "pro-union attitudes" of which I speak. It's more the justification for the lack of basic human decency. Some might wonder how fast one might cross a Teamster picket line instead of a little old nurses one.

[sjoe]

RyanRN: The perfect reason why nurses who want to be part of a union should try to get the Teamsters to organize the locals rather than the wimps we usually get to do so. THAT would get administration attention, for sure.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

howdy yall

from deep in the heat of texas

Im not that impressed with unions, teamsters or not. They may have made Jimmy Hoffa disappear, But that was long ago. I would cross their line just as well as anyone elses

doo wah ditty

[RyanRN]

You make me laugh teeitup, if we continue your line of reasoning, Jimmy Hoffa shouldn't matter to you, it wouldn't affect you or your family.

Raising doubts here as to the reality of you crossing that teamster line. You may have to show up armed and dangerous. Not nearly as cavalier as scabbing against nurses who want the same as you and have just decided to go about it a different , more alltruistic manner. At any rate it's a much easier, comfortable line to cross.

BTW, I am NOT pushing pro union here - something more profound. Do not now nor have I ever been a union member. I just respect their rights by not acting as if mine were more important. And yes, as you said, I still made pretty darned good money the hard way, by working for it.There is no need to SCAB, as you stated, the work and money is out there already. I would never go for a temporary quick fix by harming anothers effort. Nor would I support the stifling of your effort to do it your way. That is unless and until you tread on me. That gets my back up. Like taking candy from a baby, sure it's legal, but right? I don't think so.

[monkijr]

Originally posted by teeituptom

Howdy yall

Yes if you want you can make that kind of money. I gross alittle over 6 figures a yr with some overtime. And I pick up more on special contracts that I take time off for. So I have no complaints with nursing atall

THAT'S GREAT!!!!!

:) PLEASE DO TELL, WHAT KINDA NURSING DO YOU DO? I MUST BE DOIN SOMETHING WRONG. :stone

[illya]

to teeituptom ditty dum ditty do!

[Youda]

Originally posted by sjoe

I think your analysis is backwards. If the hospitals treated their RNs decently, and paid them well, they would have adequate staffing and would not have to resort to paying such large amounts for temp agency workers.

EXACTLY! Where I work they let us run so short-staffed that it's almost criminal. But, if we ask for agency help, the suits say, "It costs too much." In other words, they'll risk our license, and risk a lawsuit before they pay anyone more money for staff retention. One suit told me that a turnover was good because then he could hire in a new nurse at a lower wage and it would be awhile before he'd have to pay out any sick/vacation/benefits! Face it, folks. Patient care, staff morale, retention, humanity, doesn't mean squat! The only thing that matters is the amount of the dividend check they can give to their investors!

[hagrid]

There have been warning about the nursing shortage fro quite some time now, but as with everything in nursing,no one takes it seriously.Now that it is becoming a crisis, hospitals and schools are trying to lure people in with little incentives.The problem being that they are doing to little too late.Hospitals and other health care facilities have to change the way they treat their employees for one thing. I don't know one person I work with who would encourage a young adult to enter this profession. We have no respect from adminisrtators and the expectations placed on the staff nurse increases daily as does the responsibility.

[James Huffman]

Someone mentioned the "suits" risking a nurse's license. Not exactly true. While someone else may ask us to do something that puts a license at risk, it's ultimately we who do (or don't do) that something.

In other words, you have responsibility. You have a professional license to practice nursing. No one else can shoulder that responsibility; no one else can force you to do something. If you do something as a nurse that you shouldn't, the blame is on your back.

Don't be afraid to say no. Politely, pleasantly, but firmly, and without wavering.

Know in advance where you draw the line, and stand firm. And if you have to walk away from a job, walk away. It's a LOT easier to get a new job than to get a license re-instated. I'm not suggesting doing this over something trivial, but there are times when you have to take a stand.

And if you refuse an unwarranted request, walk away from a job, or whatever, go home, take a deep breath, and write it up. Write down all the circumstances, any witnesses, any details you can remember (basic incident report, OK?) Probably nothing will come of it, but you will have the facts at your command should your employer decide to play hardball.

Jim Huffman, RN

http://www.NetworkforNurses.com

[Jackie N]

Where did this happen?