Nursing Staffing Post COVID Quagmire...

[Leonardo Del Toro]

Covid did a number to nursing staff shortage like we never seen. Nurses call off all the time, some are leaving. The remaining staff is burned out from doing doubles and then some. Vacations declined and people arrive at their breaking point. This is quagmire. If I don't take a break from this I'll go insane and everyone is thinking the same. Management confined in their cubicles are clueless of what is coming at them. Corporation CEO's and mid management don't care, they will sell and move on.

[SmilingBluEyes]

On 6/17/2021 at 6:19 AM, vintagegal said:

Hospitals aren’t a learning environment for new grads anymore. Seasoned nurses get cranky and take the martyr attitude. So new nurses are avoiding hospitals, and hospital nurses are leaving because they are burned out. Just look at all the posts on this site with nurses berating the next generation.

This is true. But it works the other way often. I have encountered a lot of new grads who eat the old, too. Being mean, refusing to listen or learn. This burns US out too.

[SmilingBluEyes]

4 hours ago, Emergent said:

I'm going to 4 shifts a month. I will be semi-retired soon. Between other investments and my debt-free status, that will be enough. So sick of the BS.

Sounds like a solid plan. I sure do wish you the best.

[JKL33]

On 6/17/2021 at 9:19 AM, vintagegal said:

Hospitals aren’t a learning environment for new grads anymore. Seasoned nurses get cranky and take the martyr attitude. So new nurses are avoiding hospitals, and hospital nurses are leaving because they are burned out. Just look at all the posts on this site with nurses berating the next generation.

Late to the comment but will respond anyway.

I hope you'll rethink this.

Hospitals aren't rough for new grads because seasoned nurses have a martyr attitude. Hospitals are rough because they do not value the profession of nursing (amongst other reasons). They are doing as little as they can to facilitate newer nurses' learning and essentially nothing toward the genuine well-being of any of their staff. We are all merely an expense, whether 22 y.o. or 67 y.o. Their disrespect and disregard goes even beyond all of this--they are busy removing autonomy, undermining the idea that nurses have any area of expertise whatsoever, and in general dumbing things down. If these tactics don't provide them enough control, there's always the never-ending threats, nitpicking and disparagement.

There are a number of posts here that try to support, advise and encourage newer nurses; I see them and I write some of them myself.

Every time we choose to be preoccupied with a peer (short of witnessing neglect or unlawful/seriously unethical behavior), we're taking our eyes off far, FAR bigger problems that pose an infinitely bigger threat.

[CCHP-RN]

As "corporate management" (and RN) for the company I work for, I want all of you to know, some of us do care GREATLY. 

We are at a loss at how to operate units with no staff.  We have tried everything in my specialty to recruit and retain nurses and all medical staff in general. We are willing to bring on agency nurses, however, those are also limited.  Everyone is fighting for nurses in the same agency pool every week.  We are paying agency nurses more than NPs.  It's the oddest thing I've ever seen.  

Last week, in my weekly call with my regional directors, I literally broke down in tears as I know we haven't been able to find any relief for our staff.  

My specialty is a much better environment than hospitals.  You'd think people would flock to it, but too many have preconceived notions as to what it entails, if they have ever even thought of it. 

My specialty is correctional healthcare (detention, jails, prisons).  As much as I'd love to recruit you for our company, I won't.   I'd rather recruit you to corrections overall.  

Thinking about all of our challenges minute by minute.  Keep your head up and do your best. However, remember, there is only so much any one nurse can do.