Poll - what's important to you?

Enright · Feb 28, 2001

When I was a new grad (1987) I wanted cash and a strong orientation program. That would have been # 1. Now at 45, my priorities are very different. My # 1 priority with my current job was getting the best possible pension plan. That is something that really didn't even occur to me as a new nurse at 32. So I guess I am saying it depends on where you are in life.

[This message has been edited by Enright (edited February 28, 2001).]

mustangsheba · Feb 28, 2001

1. Staffing, 2. scheduling (but that's why I'm an agency nurse), 3. money, 4.management, 5. benefits. You would think at my age I would be more interested in benefits, but I have more than once been accused of living on the edge. An instructor this term asked the question: "What would you give up for security?" What a great question! I'm still thinking about it, but so far my response has been "Not much of anything I value."

moonchild20002000 · Mar 1, 2001

BENEFITS MONEY FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING ADMINISTRATION THAT ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT NURSES

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moonchild20002000 · Mar 1, 2001

BENEFITS', MONEY, FLEXIBLE, SCHEDULING, ADMINISTRATION THAT ACTUALLY CARES ABOUT NURSES

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ERICUEMS · Mar 1, 2001

Excellent question--Been at the bedside now 27 years ER,+ 5 years ICU,--single, self supporting, with a mortgage, 15 y/o son, and a dog.....I believe that like everything else, priorities change depending on where you are in life.....When I was younger, #2 was the $$$$--I have finally reached an acceptable salary,(Nurses will NEVER be paid what they are actually worth!!) so the retirement plans and benes are #2...ways to invest for my kid's college...we have self sceduling in my ICU, & job security won't be problem for me, because the shortage will still be on when I retire. And management?..... Trust me kiddo, they are management for a reason, and will never be any different no matter where you go. They will always be "THEM", and we will always be "US". But the #1 priority for me,young and old is and always has been, the ability to give good bedside care. So I guess that would mean having enough staff. It frightens me a bit to know that after all of these years caring for others, by the time I need it, there may not be anyone to care for me! So I'd really like to see staffing improve over the next few years!

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Navy Nurse · Mar 1, 2001

1. Job I want to do (position, hours, place)

2. Benefits (retirement, stock options, PTO)

3. Money

4. Money

5. Money

I figure if all of these are met then the other parts of the organization will meet my needs.

CEN35 · Mar 1, 2001

Thanks for the replies up to this point.

Rick

MD_Rn · Mar 1, 2001

1. Staffing... adequate staffing for safe pt care and to avoid nurse burn out

2. Supportive Mgt... goes with the adequate staff

3. Hours

4. Benefits

5. Money

6. Job security (only last because I feel very secure in my current position)

Would love to see the stats on the end results of this survey

CEN35 · Mar 31, 2001

Well thanks for the input. ASpparently with only 8 posts in a month, nobody really cares or knows what they want in their job. I thank all of you that did respond though....

Rick (CEN35)

LaurieCRNP2002, MSN, RN, APRN · Apr 1, 2001

Hello all

Right now, because I am in grad school (going for my NP), flexible scheduling is number one (and I have that b/c I went per diem). Adequate staffing and strong management support are next--our current VP of patient services gives us lip service and tries to act like she cares about our issues. Money and benefits follow--I'm planning to try agency over the next few months so I can save for a house to move into when I finish school!

Q. · Apr 1, 2001

Let's see...

1. Staffing

2. Scheduling (I self schedule now, but went that route only after staffing became an issue and I was getting burned out. In order to self schedule, I dropped my benefits).

3. Money

4. Job security (I figure money's more important than job security - if it came down to it I could work anywhere for some income - I'm not an idiot)

5. Benefits (luckily my husband has AWESOME benefits, so I am on his plan)