Is the nursing profession causing its own RN shortage?

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With all the RN's going to NP school, is the profession significantly contributing to the RN shortage? Between retirement and RN's in line to become NP's it seems our unit is on a constant hunt for staff.

I agree that there is most definitely a lack of experienced RNs out there; however what I find most telling about the comments is the references to hospital-based nursing only. As an RN of 19 years, I have never practiced in a hospital setting. Instead, I choose to work as an RN Supervisor/ADON in a skilled nursing environment. There's plenty of room for any nurse who truly wants to work.

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When I was working for $2.50/hour (1964 and $0.50/hour less than any other RN because it was a "non-nursing" position.) when I had applied for something else, the hospital, because of my past experience, had requested I accept, I would have jumped at a union. A few years ago the SEIU tried to organize local nurses and I was against them. First because, as an American, I object to the idea of an INTERNATIONAL union representing our nurses just as I object to its representing our federal workers. Next because much of what they were trying to push would have been detrimental to our profession. We ARE A PROFESSION and not a group of non specific people whose only interest is in the money. Yes, nurses need representation: no, it should not be from organizers totally outside our profession.

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Farawyn, you're on here constantly, putting your own spin on people's posts and generally acting like a troll. Stop it.

Nurses don't need to be disrespected by other nurses.

I've seen you before, you know.

Unfortunately, we all have.

Are you talking about the same Farawyn that has 25,000 Likes? Or to put another way, over 3 likes per comment? Or to put it yet another way, 24,908 more likes than you? Yeah, we've seen her before.

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Workers have no national boundary but by all means union representation options should be explored. Unions are about working conditions of which hourly pay is just one factor and often not an issue at all (although it usually is before unionization). Professionals should care about improved working conditions because good staffing reduces mortality and morbidity. It is hospitals that are primarily concerned with money.

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I agree that there is most definitely a lack of experienced RNs out there; however what I find most telling about the comments is the references to hospital-based nursing only. As an RN of 19 years, I have never practiced in a hospital setting. Instead, I choose to work as an RN Supervisor/ADON in a skilled nursing environment. There's plenty of room for any nurse who truly wants to work.

What do you find telling about that? A plurality of nurses work in acute care. It stands to reason that most here would use that as a point of reference. Acute care pays better than LTC or office, but of course it is not for everyone. One of the great things about being nurses is the incredible number of career choices we have.

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I recently saw something that showed that New York is the most expensive state to live in, followed very closely by California.

I should know---I live in New York, and the cost of living is through the roof.

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Lively debate I agree with. I insulted no one. I stated my opinion.

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I didn't say s/he was a troll, I said s/he acted like one. As for inflammatory, I will quote another member regarding this:"

The trick is not to let those nit pickers get to you or to drive the conversation.Let them perseverate."

I'll follow that advice.

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Fair enough. I still disagree with labeling any nursing job "entry level." What is entry level? Med-surg? Anything that doesn't require extensive specialized training? It's not fair to look down on nursing positions that other people are content with because you don't think they're challenging enough.

There's working 20 years and gaining experience and progressive responsibility, and there's working one year over and over and over.

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OH. MY. GOSH.

Wow - just WOW....

I was friends with a nurse who's dad was a pedi. He told her "You should hear how they talk about you in the board room meetings" referring to how hospital admin referred to nurses.

I believe it.

The problem is that somehow, someway admin came to believe that we are the lucky ones because they give us a job. WRONG! The only reason to admit a patient to the hospital is for nursing care. Hospitals exist for providing nursing care. Hospital administrators have a job because of US.

I was in middle management for six yrs and it was very surprising how the DON and supervisors talked about staff nurses. Very derogatory.

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I have heard that as well, maybe wound vacs and debridement kicked maggots to the curb

Leeches too? Haha

Leaches are great for micro vascular surgery for digit reattachments. They have a blood thinner in their mouths that keeps the vessels from clotting off.

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Specializes in critical care.
Lively debate I agree with. I insulted no one. I stated my opinion.

Please find your quote button. We don't know who you are responding to.

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