nhcc

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I did vote no.... why am I embarrassed... because I love the profession and couldn't imagine doing anything different. Do I want my daughters doing this? MMM... My eldest daughter is completing grade 13 and for the past 3 years has expressed her intention to go into medicine to become - eventually an E.R. physician..... Privately, I'm not convinced she'll continue... at one point, recently she expressed a desire to switch to nursing instead. Disappointed - absolutely! There is so much to know and medicine is changing so rapidly... nurses are still more limited in their capabilities than doctors... we're getting there but have a long way to go. Guess I want her to have more options.

I've just been in corrections (casual) for the past year. When first interviewed for the postion my answer to that very question, was that they are people and as such have a right to be treated no differently than others. Having now been there for the past year, I can answer from experience that I haven't had a problem with bias'. The facility in which I work is a Detention Centre, meaning these people are being held until their trial is complete, or serving two years less a day. The inmates we have are some times being held for murder charges, rape, drug and related charges as well as immigration holds. For the most part, each R.N. working provides the same unbiased individual attention to the inmates we treat. Perhaps the only difference would be the offender you know to be violent, in which case you tend to be a little more wary of the potential of his actions. Good luck with your paper. Hope the info has helped! nhcc

My nursing career started as an RNA (RPN now), then back to school in my 30's to upgrade to a Reg. N., now on my way again with the BSc.N. My career path has been through long term care institutions, the hospital and home health care as an administrator. I've therefore been on both sides of the fence in many ways, hospital vs. homecare, union vs. management, acute vs. chronic. Some thoughts about nursing and the "nursing shortage"... Ontario as in most of the world is in the process of major change in the way health care is delivered. The probable high per centage of the future aging population (the baby boomers) as well as the impact of technology on general health outcomes is making us rethink the way health care is being delivered. This is an excellent window of opportunity of encouraging administrators to rethink the boundaries of employment. There are a good many experienced nurses sitting at home wanting to work, but not under the conditions generally imposed by employers. Many of the posts in this forum deal with job satisfaction and burnout. Very real considerations. Many nurses due to family or personal reasons, would be better suited with shifts that allow the flexibility to better manage all their obligations, however, administrators are often rigidly entrenched in their antiquated schedules. Nurses want respect, not just in "lip service", but in the more tangible aspects of knowing that when budgets must be revisted, their profession isn't going to be the first to be downsized, and the last to be acknowleged financially. Other professions have days that are paid to allow upgrading, why not nurses? Our profession demands (rightfully so) that we continually upgrade our education. Should this not be incorporated into our expectations of the employers? Nurses have traditionally been very quiet about their wants and needs, but if change is to happen, now would be an excellent time to stop sitting back complaining about conditions and start articulating concerns. Lobbying does work! Be proactive with the various Associations, the media, the administrators and the political representatives that make the decisions. Nurses must learn to speak for themselves, not allow others to assume they know what's best. A wise peron once said something to the effect of - you have no right to complain if you're not going to be part of the solution. How can the nursing shortage be helped? Entice nurses of all ages back into the workforce (back into Canada) with more respect and consideration as an invaluable team member!