Politics of Nursing:Nursing shortage and violence

[jbaby]

Hi everyone my name is Justin and I am currently a nursing student. I have an assignment on nursing politics so I have to interview nurses or nursing students. I just had a few questions so if you have some time please respond thank you. The responses to the questions do not have to be lengthy.

1.How long have you been working as a nurse or are you a nursing student?

2.Are you involve in nursing politics in any way?

3. Is there any policies you would like to see implemented in the coming years?

4. Do you think there is a shortage of nurses?

5. How well do you function if you have a big workload and a lot of patients?

6. Do you think you will do better quality work if you had less patients?

7. Do you think there is an increase in violence against nurses?

8. Do you have any personal experiences with violence from patients?

9. If you did experience violence from a patient how did you handle the situation?

10. Do you believe patients should be charged with a felony if they were violent with a nurse?

11. Would you feel safer if a bill was passed that charged violent patients that assault nurses with a felony?

12. What are your concerns about the nursing field?

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

1.How long have you been working as a nurse or are you a nursing student? Just finished my first year of nursing school (well in 5 more days)

2.Are you involve in nursing politics in any way? Not really

3. Is there any policies you would like to see implemented in the coming years?Would like to see a lot of hospitals adapt better nurse to pt ratios. What I read on these forums is appalling and the ratios my local hospital have are really good.

4. Do you think there is a shortage of nurses? Yes and No, there needs to be more nurses at hospitals to have better ratios and what not but it's an administration thing. There is NOT a shortage of NEW GRAD nurses though and that seems to be very confusing for some to understand. New Grads are not in the same category and while some places might be having a nursing shortage, it doesn't usually flow over to the new grads.

5. How well do you function if you have a big workload and a lot of patients? Haven't had that personally happen, the ratios at the hospitals I have been at are great.

6. Do you think you will do better quality work if you had less patients?I think this would be a yes to anyone that is not in a good place with good ratios. The patients would get better care as well.

7. Do you think there is an increase in violence against nurses? I don't know, I have heard stories but haven't seen it myself yes.

8. Do you have any personal experiences with violence from patients?no

9. If you did experience violence from a patient how did you handle the situation? N/A

10. Do you believe patients should be charged with a felony if they were violent with a nurse? I think depending on the situation ABSOLUTELY. If the patient has Alzheimer for example and has no capability to understand their actions then that's one thing. If the guy is on drugs or drunk and punches you that is another thing. That wouldn't fly in public and shouldn't fly in the hospital.

11. Would you feel safer if a bill was passed that charged violent patients that assault nurses with a felony? Yes, again depending on the type of patient.

12. What are your concerns about the nursing field?My safety and having good administration that has your backs and puts it's employees health and safety first.

[Rednights]

1. 4 years as a student

2. No

3. Nursing Ratios, Medication Scanners

4. Repeat as above. Shortage of non new graduate nurses.

5. To the best of my abilities?

6. Of course

7. Increased? Dunno. Is there? Verbally yes from everyone.

8.

9.

10. Depends on the situation.

11. I guess? Rarely delve onto the issue.

12. Money in terms of allowing hospitals to grow (i.e. actually be able to higher new graduates)

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

1.How long have you been working as a nurse or are you a nursing student? 1.5 years student nurse ( 1 semester left! )

2.Are you involve in nursing politics in any way? Not yet, and no plans either

3. Is there any policies you would like to see implemented in the coming years? None yet, ask me after working a bit more.

4. Do you think there is a shortage of nurses? I believe there is

5. How well do you function if you have a big workload and a lot of patients? I have only had at most 4 pts and in my specialty that is the most we can have. I dont feel overwhelmed until the SHTF

6. Do you think you will do better quality work if you had less patients? I think it might help to have more time between pts

7. Do you think there is an increase in violence against nurses? Yes

8. Do you have any personal experiences with violence from patients? Yes

9. If you did experience violence from a patient how did you handle the situation? Walked away and brushed it off. Reported it to the charge nurse at the recommendation of my instructor.

10. Do you believe patients should be charged with a felony if they were violent with a nurse? If they are cognitively aware yes.

11. Would you feel safer if a bill was passed that charged violent patients that assault nurses with a felony? Nope. It is kinda like gun laws. Sure it is illegal for people to have weapons but people still do anyways

12. What are your concerns about the nursing field? Obamacare

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