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.

[PANurseRN1]

CNA is not a rung on the ladder of professional nursing, no more than a CMA is a step on the ladder of being a physician.

No one disputes the importance of good CNAs, but they are not on a par with professional nurses. Period.

[Guest717236]

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.

If a BSN entry to the field is the goal-then the ANA needs to look at why this

is happening. There are many examples of an individual with other degrees

pursuing a BSN and getting shut out. There are many examples here

on this board as well. A mature individual who puts in the time

and comittment for the degree should be rewarded not rejected...........

Here is one--

https://allnurses.com/forums/f8/agism-nursing-furious-rant-potential-129419.html

[RN4NICU, LPN, LVN]

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

Dare to care

Dare to feel

Dare to cry

That somehow doesn't scream "professionalism" to me. I think that it actually feeds into the stereotype that all nurses are is compassionate hand-holders. Our goal is to get the public to realize that we do so much more than that, rather than encouraging them to go on thinking that doctors do everything that actually helps the patient recover while the nurse is there to fluff pillows, fetch refreshments, and give spongebaths.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Make the requirement a BSN only, and watch the "shortage" become and actual shortage of nurses, and not just a "shortage" of nurses willing to deal with the problems of nursing.

[jjrn76]

Unnessary and repeated documentation

[jjrn76]

Redundant, and repeated information.Caregivers nee a breif picture of te history. It takes listening skills to dtermine what and hen to write or type.Most MDs i work with dont takethe time to read my notes.It is frustrating to beso precise, and onlyto be asked something thats already on the pts. file. I find that to streamline it takes time to build a repore with the prescriber. Before asking have yourducks ina row. What does the pt. look like.Avoid the buz words,less drama, and get tothe point in a systamatic approach, which takes a little practice and time

[Hockeytown]

Nursing should be considered noble profession and deserves a far more powerful voice in the healthcare industry than it has, but the root of it's problems can only be changed from within the field itself.

Many of the problems of the nursing field result two reasons, (1) from nursing lacking a clear path of entry certification at the professional level, and (2) lack of cohesiveness of nurses as a group. While in nursing school I had a long discussion with a professor who I much respected about whether nursing was a considered a "profession" or an "occupation". She maintained that professional nursing did not begin until the master's level. I strongly disagreed, but now after a year and a half as a practicing nurse, my opinion has changed and I agree with her argument.

Nursing has set a standard of entry at the diploma or two-year associate degree level, which is not considered a "professional degree" level in almost any profession. I am NOT saying ADN nurses are not qualified excellent practitioners, but their degree does not confer "professional" status in the American system. BSN nurses do have a four year degree which is considered to be a "professional" level degree, however because licensing standards are the same as a ADN prepared nurse the BSN nurse is considered no different to those outside the nursing profession. In a field where 2-4 years beyond undergraduate level is required to attain professional status (i.e. PTs, RpHs, MDs) nursing will never get the respect it is due until has a four year degree entry requirement as a standard of practice. A good start would be a separate licensing path conferring RN-BSN licensure specific to the BSN degree with a "NCLEX-BSN" which would acknowledge and test the additional professional preparation the BSN should require.

The second barrier I mentioned is the lack of cohesiveness of nurses as a group. Nurses are one of the largest occupations in this country. There are four nurses to every one physician in the nation (http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/faq/rn_facts.html). However, a small percentage of those nurses belong to their state and nation Nursing Associations. Doctors do not have the power they do solely because of their education; over 97% of them belong to the AMA, which is a powerful state and national lobbying force. Money buys power and influences change.

I am a RN-ADN and I agree 100% with everything you stated, many ADNs might not like it but the truth is the truth.

[ERNP]

Let me try to go out on a limb here and try to say this without getting killed, but perhaps all the things that have been previously mentioned are problems with nursing, but the reason that these problems persist is because nurses are willing to allow it to happen to themselves.

I listen all day to complaints about all the previously mentioned complaints, but they are only complaining to each other and not to anyone who might be able (if unwilling) to address the problems.

So what happens, they stay where they are and continue to take it. "I need the job" just sounds like an excuse after the first 150 times.

The last time I looked there were more jobs than nurses to fill them. If things get really bad there is always another employer willing to do more to attract your attention. Then the previous employer works a little harder to get the good people back. Sad but true. It is just a business shell game. The management is going to pay the minimum they can get by with while expecting the maximum work they can get out of nurses as long as they can. It's good business and whatever else hospitals are, they are businesses.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I listen all day to complaints about all the previously mentioned complaints, but they are only complaining to each other and not to anyone who might be able (if unwilling) to address the problems.

So what happens, they stay where they are and continue to take it. "I need the job" just sounds like an excuse after the first 150 times.

"I need to eat" may sound more valid then.

There are some jobs (mine in particular), where people "are no longer working for XYZ County Hospital", this happening after those particular people said they were going to the top to complain about things, after going to management got nothing. If some of those people are in my predicament alone, for example, then every dollar counts, and there's not much they can do for the time being.

Not every area is overflowing with jobs. And not everyone has the option to move where the jobs are at the time. Perhaps they are bound to a particular geographical area d/t aging parents, etc.

[kwagner_51]

At the risk of being burned to a crisp, the main reason the Nursing profession is not advancing....drum roll...is WOMEN!!

I can say that because I am a woman. How many times have you heard these statements?

** I need the job.

** My voice means nothing

** If I say anything, I'll be fired

** Why bother, no one cares what I think

** I'll get even with that b****

On a personal note, I tried to buck the system. I stood up to the NM, and was fired.

I was told at one place not to chart that the res took 15 cc's of MOM. The order was for 30 cc's. I refused to chart what I didn't give.

New nurses don't know the game. I don't care if they are diploma, ADN, BSN or MSN. When we try to learn the game, we are short changed. The experienced nurses do NOT want to tell us the rules of the unit. We are thrown onto the floor to sink or swim. We are either not allowed to do anything, or we are thrown on the floor and told to do it all.

Everything we are taught in school, is a sham. IE: Give the meds only at their scheduled time. Give the pts back rubs. Give them a bed bath that takes 3 hrs.

Give each med seperately. Don't crush meds that aren't supposed to be crushed. Use a full 120cc's to flush a g-tube. etc

At one place, we had PRN sleeping pills. Some nurses would make sure every pt got one whether they needed it or not.

When one person makes waves, that person is fired. I have yet to find any women who will stand up for better conditions, ratios, patient rights etc. [in Indiana]

When we talk about joining together we are told that we DON'T need to pay someone to stand up for our rights. What people don't understand is the representative is one of us.

Then I hear/read that the only way to get anything done is to go on strike. Has anyone considered that we can REFUSE to take the unsafe loads? Has anyone considered that we can insist on more help or we won't take the shift?

Sorry to go on about this but I have expereinced most of it first hand.

Bottom line here is, until WE stand up and DEMAND safe conditions we will continue to work in unsafe environments. the patients will suffer and we will become more bitter!!

_____________________

In His Grace,

Karen

Failure is NOT an option!!

[ERNP]

Bottom line here is, until WE stand up and DEMAND safe conditions we will continue to work in unsafe environments. the patients will suffer and we will become more bitter!!

ROCK ON KAREN!!!

[ERNP]

Not every area is overflowing with jobs. And not everyone has the option to move where the jobs are at the time. Perhaps they are bound to a particular geographical area d/t aging parents, etc.

This is sometimes the case. But perhaps it should be recognized for what it is. It is not a hostage situation by the employer. It is a choice to do what is morally and ethically correct at the expense of something else in our lives.