Main Problem In The Nursing Field?

[blueyesue]

What do you see is the main problem in the nursing field? I am supposed to do a 10 page report on a major problem within nursing and the solutions to it. I would like to have 3 of the main ones to choose from. Thank you in advance for your input.

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

:yeahthat: I'm sorry but alot of nurses equate responsibility with having a voice. We as nurses always want more responsibility and I have often heard other nurses been called lazy if they actually voiced their opinion. But in truth the above poster is so right! When you sit down and think about it we have no voice whatsoever in our patients care. Yes we can refuse certain things that are not in our scope of practice, we can also be the patient's advocate but we can "merely" suggest a route of treatment (not general treatment). Often times it is ignored just to prove a point. Food for thought : a Physical therapist and Occupational therapist have more autonomy than a nurse!

More food for thought: PTs and OTs are Master's prepared, moving toward the Doctorate for their entry levels. Master's prepared advanced practice nurses also have more autonomy.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

(Really hoping this thread doesn't degrade into another my-education's-better-than-yours fest)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Main problem would either be communication. Or so many expectations of perfection with so few resources (like nursing homes, out of this, out of that, oh gee it's not in the budget this week).

Not to mention my personal favorite, the 'customer service' crapola.

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

(Really hoping this thread doesn't degrade into another my-education's-better-than-yours fest)

Uh, NO Marie. That is NOT the point.

The point IS that the staff nurse is not at the level of practice that the PT and OT is and that a more fair comparison (if we must compare nursing to the therapies) would be an advanced practice nurse. And, truth be told, no it is not fair to compare an associate's degree to a post-graduate degree. Do you really think that it is?

[PANurseRN1]

Do you honestly think that master's prepared nurses would want to work at the bedside? Really, truly? I'm more inclined to believe in the Tooth Fairy.

[Heart4RN]

As a Medical Asst who has worked in the hospital and in MD offices I would agree with all of you. The one major problem I feel is that the people who bark down the orders have NO medical/clinical background whatsoever!! With that in mind how can you manage a facillity and keep all happy. Yes, there are some people who do have the medical/clinical background but there is always a higher up that is looking at the almighty dollar that they should be making instead of looking at the quality of care that the nurses can give, are willing to give, should give. If it weren't for the worker bees working together, sometimes stabbing in the back (I understand that) that person on top might not be there!

[rpv_rn]

One major problem: the perception, or lack of, by lay public as to what RNs do. Stereotypes of busty short skirted long haired bimbos, etc., still persist in the media. Physicians are glorified & nurses are hand maidens.

Thank goodness for ads such as those by Johnson and Johnson about professional nurses.

[PANurseRN1]

You can't be serious about the J&J ads. For pity's sake, they are the worst kind of offender. They make nursing all about caring, hand holding, soft touches, etc. Absolutely no brains needed, just being able to "Dare To Care."

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Thank goodness for ads such as those by Johnson and Johnson about professional nurses.

While i'm extremely opposed to the big breasted, mini skirted stereotypes, the Johnson and Johnson ad stereotypes in the caring angel from Heaven way.

[mced]

1) Female nurses stabbing each other in the back day in and day out.

2) Need to make the BSN degree the standard for all entry level RN's. ASN and diplomma RNs are good nurses, but having so many different options for becoming a nurse means less respect from our peers in medicine, PT, OT etc... where the minimum to become licensed in these professions is a master's or doctorate degree.

[PANurseRN1]

How's about statements like this:

1) Female nurses stabbing each other in the back day in and day out.

[weirdRN, RN]

I think the main problem in nursing is a refusal to recognize and reward the work of the people providing the basic level of nursing service - the CNA. When the nursing profession learns to accept the CNA as the first step of professional nursing and to provide a clear and affordable path of upward career mobility to all members who wish to pursue it, we will lose fewer nurses due to the burnout that comes from working in understaffed and unsafe environments.

I think this is an EXCELLENT idea!