Nursing Shortage?????????

RNisme · Aug 28, 2007

Oh my, that's not a good thing to hear. I am a new student and don't want to be unable to find a job when I am through.

Can I ask where you are in Jersey? I have heard, but through word of mouth, that new grads have a harder time in South Jersey than North Jersey.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2007

Here I go again, sounding like the broken record.

There's no true nursing shortage, and this can be evidenced by the 500,000 RNs and numerous LPNs/LVNs who possess active nursing licensure, yet refuse to participate in the nursing workforce any longer. There is, however, a true shortage of nurses who are willing to put up with poor working conditions, stress, rude treatment, disrespect, and demanding patients for mediocre pay rates.

RNisme · Aug 29, 2007

So, TheCommuter, what is a nursing student to do? Be an activist - okay -tell me what the issues are specifically, so I can research them (being a student, I do not have first hand knowledge of the issues).

Then I can make up my mind. I have no problem being an activist, I just need to know what the "real" issues are. Some people would think nurses are paid well. In my area, they are paid beter than a lot of other occupations, but not as well as CEO's, CFO's, etc.

As fr the working conditions, don;t we know we are to care for the ill most of the time? WHen I am ill, I am a bit cranky - I believe that is a part of human nature. I am not trying to be combative with you - written words are less than spoken words, if you could "hear" me, you would hear a genuinbe curiosity in my tone, not anything else. PM me if you like - but I truely would like to know what is going on - specifically.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 29, 2007

PM me if you like - but I truely would like to know what is going on - specifically.

1. Physicians tend to be rude and disrespectful to nurses because they have more education.

2. Many family members are abusive and will curse/swear at nurses. I've heard the words, "You'll hear from my lawyer!" so many times from disgruntled family members. If a patient dies, some unrealistic family members will be waiting for you in the parking lot when your shift ends, with uncertain plans for you. Statistically, healthcare workers suffer higher rates of violence than the rest of the population.

3. Patients are demanding, and will make 'waitress' requests of you. "Go to the snack machine for me." "Fluff my pillow." "I wanted roma tomatoes on my salad, not cherry tomatoes!" "Get me some coffee." "You took 5 minutes to get me a pain pill!" "These eggs aren't fried hard enough!" "Place these 7 phone calls for me." "I'm going to report you to my daughter!"

4. Many nurses suffer from health problems. I have seen several of my younger coworkers get rushed to the ER with chest pains. I have had chest pains after a drunk family member cursed at me loudly st the nurses station. My friend has vascular insufficiency in her legs from the years of standing. Many nurses have debilitating back problems, and are forced to leave the profession because their employers will not support them through the life change.

KellNY, RN · Aug 29, 2007

As fr the working conditions, don;t we know we are to care for the ill most of the time? WHen I am ill, I am a bit cranky - I believe that is a part of human nature.

Just to step in (and hopefully not on thecommuter's toes), there's a difference between a pt being a bit cranky because of illness and a pt or family treating you like dirt/their maid/their figurative punching bag.

Getting POed that I won't get them more ice water/juice/tissues/cups while I'm changing another Pt's IV.

You want your daughters BP taken every hour when it's only ordered every 8? No, sorry, I can't do that. Why? Because aside from it not being medically indicated, I have 5 other patients to care for.

Yelling at me for telling them their hubby can't sleep in the empty bed near the door, that we needed to keep it open and clean in case we were to get an admission.

Getting chewed out at 2310 because "My medicine was due at TEN O'CLOCK! Don't think my doctor won't be hearing about this. I'm here for a reason, you know!". That medicine was an iron and a colace. i was busy giving another patient their heparin and procardia. My bad. I got reported for that one.

Threatening me with physical violence for not validating their parking ticket. Dude, I don't even HAVE the validation stickers, and I'm not the one who made the rule that you have to pay to park in the garage.

Throwing a salad at me after I ran downstairs to the kitchen to get it for you since dietary's already closed, because it has ham and you don't "do" pork. What did you think I meant when I asked if you had any dietary restrictions or preferences??

And that's from the patients and their families. Forget from admin, doctors, other nurses... I have to pay out of my pocket for parking, even though it's in a lot and there are NO other options (ie, can't park down the road and walk...there is no down the road, we're off a major highway). i NEVER get to leave the floor for my break except to run down to the deli for 5 min. My "break room" is the size of a bathroom...no fridge, no real lockers, no personal space, no changing room, have to share a bathroom with visitors (ew). For "nurses week" I got a gift card good for one meal (not to exceed $4, does not include salad bar, grill station or soft drinks) in the cafe...except ALL meals are over $4...and it expired in 2 weeks. In the whopping 3 times I've called out sick, I've gotten harassed for a doctors note, even though for one time I showed them the ER discharge summary from when my son ruptured his ear drum. Having new paperwork and protocols added on constantly, but not getting OT for the 45min late I have to stay to finish my work. I could go on and on.

It's human nature to be grumpy when you feel like crud. And unfortunately it's some people's human nature to treat those helping them and their loved ones like poo.

This is often daily. And to put up with this abuse, wanting to scream, only to see these stupid reminders from managment to work on out "people skills" and "Have you smiled at your Pt today?" posters. Arrggh!

RNisme · Aug 29, 2007

Wow, that is a lot to think about. I have never heard of the physical violence (or threats of same) before. That is scary. Thanks for the specific details. I see there is a need for nurse advocates in several areas (safety and work environment to mention a couple). I will make sure I work for these things, and help every chance I get.

I guess I can start by letting people know what I am learning - not just "fluffing pillows and administering meds" which is unfortunately the image some people have of nurses. If we change the way the general population views us, that may help. Of course, I am sure that won't be easy.

ear · Aug 29, 2007

Rose,

Have you thought about applying to other areas besides hospitals?? There are acute rehabs, subacute rehabs, LTC. Although they are not hospitals, there are many skills that you can hone in on in those settings. Perhaps an inpatient hospice even. I do feel your pain, it was the same thing for me back in March.

The problem seems to be that there are just not enough "experienced" nurses in the hospitals to do the precepting. The ones that are already have preceptees (is that a word???) or the nurses are just too stressed out and busy to want to take ona preceptor. I know there are hospitals that are willing to take new grads, it is just a matter of finding them.

Good luck to you!!

EMERGENCYRNNJ · Aug 29, 2007

Hi thanks for you supportive words. I haven't gone that route yet, I was trying not to because I really wanted to start fresh in the hospital. I guess that's going to have to be my next thing.

Had two more interviews today, but as usual, I heard, we have nothing right now.

crit care tom · Aug 30, 2007

Rose,

The nursing shortage is greater than ever. sometime hospitals can only take so many new RN;s on a given floor. Are you applying for night shift or day shift ? My suggestion is to applyfor good old med-surg pa and get your sea legs. After six months you can go any where you want . You have selected a great career, it truely is a great time to be a nurse. Last week i was given $ 220 dollar bonus on top of my time and half rate of $ 47.20 for a total of $ 68.40/hr. good luck

MAISY, RN-ER, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2007

Graduated May 2006-everyone in my class got a job! I appliedou a in January for several positions. Many hospitals hire new nurses during certain months. If you waited till graduation to apply, that is part of your problem.

During the past year I ran into one of my nursing instructors who said that the nursing market for new grads in northern NJ seemed to be slowing down, but job offers along the Hudson river, and southern NJ were still high.

A recommendation to nursing students would be to apply for nursing externships during school time, or any healthcare experiences which may distinguish your resume from that of other new grads. Let's face it, if you have a healthcare background employers know you have some idea of what it is like to deal with patients.

Be willing to commute, or work somewhere that may not be your first choice. As you gain experience, keep looking for that right job. Sometimes you don't know what you want until you jump around.

Good luck to all new grads.

Maisy;)

want2bpsychrn · Aug 31, 2007

There are so many new grads, and not enough experienced RN's for hosptials. Many of the facilities in NJ are not considering new grads because they hired so many in the past few years. I've heard of units where the most seasoned RN has 3 years on the night shift (that is a major NYC hospital, but still it happens in NJ too).