It used to be that nurses did not have to go to college; we were instead trained by hospitals. Then the education requirement changed and community college replaced hospitals. And now, it is changing to that some hospitals will only hire nurses with college degrees. Undoubtedly, the education requirement will continue to increase in the future.
The downside to this is that it will make this profession harder to get into. And those who are in the profession will constantly need to adapt by going back to school. The upside to this is that it will provide us with more skills to do a better job.
The educational changes are related to the idea of professionalizing nursing.
This is a good thing.
While they have expectations of us that are professional, we are treated anything but professional! Instead we are treated like kinder gartners, they have stripped us of our autonomy, left us out of every decision that they make that directly affects us and practically every minute of our shift is dictated to us what to do! I'm seriously waiting for them to begin monitoring how many times we use the lavatory and writing us up if they observe it's too many times in one shift for their taste. No, the word professional does NOT come to mind when I think of nurses. We are treated like any other blue collar worker that punches a clock. If they are trying to make us look more professional, it's NOT for us, it has to be because they benefit by this somehow?
While they have expectations of us that are professional, we are treated anything but professional! Instead we are treated like kinder gartners,...
That's because we're a dime a dozen. Increasing the entrance requirements to a four year degree will slow the influx of new nurses, making it harder to replace us, meaning they have to put a little effort into keeping us happy.
That's because we're a dime a dozen. Increasing the entrance requirements to a four year degree will slow the influx of new nurses, making it harder to replace us, meaning they have to put a little effort into keeping us happy.
I think this varies depending on where you work. Where I work they have a heck of a time hiring and keeping LPNs (let alone RNs) to work the floor because the med pass and pt ratios are insane. The ratio is 49:1 on evening shift. It'snot considered very desirable. I prefer to work in a place like this, though. If you work where every other new grad and his brother wants to work (like the med surg floor in the big shiny hospital) you will be dime a dozen in the eyes of management. No one dreams of working in a Medicaid LTC when they graduate. This is why I'm skeptical of BSN only as the entry to be a nurse. Who's going to work here?
While they have expectations of us that are professional, we are treated anything but professional! Instead we are treated like kinder gartners, they have stripped us of our autonomy, left us out of every decision that they make that directly affects us and practically every minute of our shift is dictated to us what to do! I'm seriously waiting for them to begin monitoring how many times we use the lavatory and writing us up if they observe it's too many times in one shift for their taste. No, the word professional does NOT come to mind when I think of nurses. We are treated like any other blue collar worker that punches a clock. If they are trying to make us look more professional, it's NOT for us, it has to be because they benefit by this somehow?
Individual professionalism has nothing to do with the professionalization of the occupation.
Why should it be desirable as long as they can convince people to work there taking 49 patients?
But nothing's going to change that. That's just the reality. Some Medicare homes might have a bit less, nut not by much. And it is actually doable, just nobody wants to do it. It's the opposite of the perceived excitement and glamour of acute care jobs. It's no secret that LTC is the red headed step child of nursing. And Medicaid homes are the red headed step children of LTC. I predict such homes will revert to being staffed by unlicensed aides if LPNs and ADNs are phased out. I just cannot envision many new grad BSNs willing to work here.
I think this varies depending on where you work. Where I work they have a heck of a time hiring and keeping LPNs (let alone RNs) to work the floor because the med pass and pt ratios are insane. The ratio is 49:1 on evening shift. It'snot considered very desirable. I prefer to work in a place like this, though. If you work where every other new grad and his brother wants to work (like the med surg floor in the big shiny hospital) you will be dime a dozen in the eyes of management. No one dreams of working in a Medicaid LTC when they graduate. This is why I'm skeptical of BSN only as the entry to be a nurse. Who's going to work here?
49:1!!! There's no way you could ever convince me this is even remotely safe? I don't mean to be disrespectful at all, but I don't see you as looking exceptional because you are willing to work in these conditions? This facility is majorly taking advantage of you and you seem perfectly content to let them. They need more people like you! Surely, there can't be that many people willing to work like that and put their nursing license on the line? Again, I don't mean to come across disrespectful but I just can't imagine someone working like this and happy to do so?
But nothing's going to change that. That's just the reality. Some Medicare homes might have a bit less, nut not by much. And it is actually doable, just nobody wants to do it. It's the opposite of the perceived excitement and glamour of acute care jobs. It's no secret that LTC is the red headed step child of nursing. And Medicaid homes are the red headed step children of LTC. I predict such homes will revert to being staffed by unlicensed aides if LPNs and ADNs are phased out. I just cannot envision many new grad BSNs willing to work here.
You are so-o right about this! I have a BSN and I wouldn't entertain working there with a ratio of 49:1 for even a split second but not for the reasons you're thinking (that I think I'm too good for that?). It is because this just doesn't sound safe to me at all and I'm not going to jeopardize my nursing license. I would never work like that and would just retire early if that was the only job available. You raise a good point though. If they did require that all nurses have a BSN, then you're right, who would work those LTC jobs with those absurd nurse to patient ratios that don't even seem humanly possible to take care of?
Many years ago, in order for a nurse manager to lead a unit area, he or she had to have strong, clinical experience in the particular area. He or she had to be willing to jump in and get his or her hands dirty as a strong leader in the particular area--still working, at times, along with the staff. No, he or she was not counted in the numbers, but she or he got up and jumped in and taught, directed, supported. Shoot. There aren't even many nursing supervisors that do that today. In the last 15 years in particular, I have seen supervisors that are an embarassment to nursing. They haven't a clue as to how to stabalize stituations, support patients and nurses, and jump in and be effective.
I couldn't agree with this more. Personally, I have nothing but contempt for "management" who has very little (if any) clinical experience.
If they did require that all nurses have a BSN, then you're right, who would work those LTC jobs with those absurd nurse to patient ratios that don't even seem humanly possible to take care of?
Hopefully nobody would. And they would have to find a way to create better staffing.
But nothing's going to change that. That's just the reality. Some Medicare homes might have a bit less, nut not by much. And it is actually doable, just nobody wants to do it. It's the opposite of the perceived excitement and glamour of acute care jobs. It's no secret that LTC is the red headed step child of nursing. And Medicaid homes are the red headed step children of LTC. I predict such homes will revert to being staffed by unlicensed aides if LPNs and ADNs are phased out. I just cannot envision many new grad BSNs willing to work here.
I am sorry, I don't care where you are. That ratio is obscene. It should hit all the papers--especially when some families are waiting years to get their loved one into the facility--and in light of what they charge. You might not be making the bucks, but the owner/s sure is/are!
Hopefully nobody would. And they would have to find a way to create better staffing.
Because they don't want to pay for having more than one or two BSNs on certain shifts. I betcha families, the media, and the GP would want to be clued into this.
The ought to make the investor-owners start paying fines for falling below decent ratios. People that are frail like this, even if they are tough when they go off, need a lot of time and patience and care. Most RNs I know won't work in LTC b/c they hate the idea of being pill pushers all night!
Trust me, they aren't putting more RNs and BSNs in these places b/c it cuts into the owner's profit.
I remember when I found out a particular LTC facility was using "D" class meats to feed their patients, b/c the owners got such a discount. The state officials got paid off. It's obscene. And it goes on b/c people allow it to. . .and they forget that one day, they stand a very good chance of being the same position those patients in LTC facilities are now.
People need to place the movie and look at the big picture.
Chiggysmom
166 Posts
While they have expectations of us that are professional, we are treated anything but professional! Instead we are treated like kinder gartners, they have stripped us of our autonomy, left us out of every decision that they make that directly affects us and practically every minute of our shift is dictated to us what to do! I'm seriously waiting for them to begin monitoring how many times we use the lavatory and writing us up if they observe it's too many times in one shift for their taste. No, the word professional does NOT come to mind when I think of nurses. We are treated like any other blue collar worker that punches a clock. If they are trying to make us look more professional, it's NOT for us, it has to be because they benefit by this somehow?