ChooseJoy

This resonated with me. I also work with many homeless patients on a psychiatric crisis unit. Many of my co-workers and myself have donated clothing and purchased articles such as reading glasses and an occasional pair of shoes to wear when patients are discharged back to a shelter. So many stories...last week I brought in two new pairs of socks and gave them to a patient...he keeps them in his pocket as revered property and won't wear them because they're "new." We have had many staff injuries also, even with security on our floor 24/7. I am still passionate about my work, even though there is occasional derision from other nursing areas regarding psychiatric nursing. What we do for our patients comes from compassion, not from initials after our signature. Meanwhile, our hospital is working on Magnet status. And yes, there is a goal to have a percentage of nurses get their BSN degrees and specialty certifications. I am the only RN with a certification in psychiatric mental health nursing, so I was delegated to be the Magnet Champion for our department. We have seasoned nurses with 20-30 years of psychiatric nursing experience. What motivation do I give them to spend their time off studying to get further education and certification? Though there is tuition reimbursement for college credits, there is no extra pay for BSN nurses or for obtaining certification. Our organization has spent thousands of dollars for a consultant to guide us through the Magnet recognition process to make sure we pass. It is astounding to me that this is where time, energy, and money is focused, in an era where there is a nursing shortage. But then, I became a nurse to care for patients, not to run a business. And sadly, that is what healthcare has become...businesses that are run by MBAs...a far cry from Florence Nightingale's vision.