We don't have enough nurses!

It's called job security =)

Originally posted by koan

It's called job security =)

Yes, if it doesn't kill you!

Originally posted by cannoli

Yes, if it doesn't kill you!

...and/or a patient

Many people who are nurses may not actively practice. So although there are nurses, they have chosen for one reason or another to leave the field. Also, with the high patient loads and increased stress, many "bedside" nurses choose to leave that are and do other things, such as case managment, education, etc. I am one of those nurses who has left a staff nurse position due to the high stress and high ratios. FYI, I'm much happier (and less stressed out) now.

The shortage will continue until the work environment for nurses drastically improves. For me life is too short to have to endure the stress of working as a nurse any longer so after 20 years I am leaving nursing and am returning to school to pursue another career.

why not take that 20 years of experience to a different (less stressful) position nursing?

A shame perhaps but it is a personal choice and if someone really wants out of the field altogether I can understand that.

I was a chef for 15 years, I was in IT for 6 and now I want something new.

This time I am going to get a college education, the first 2 careers I taught myself how to do them (with the help of others on the job).

However if I spend 4 to 6 years in school or more) learning a trade you can bet that's what I want to do.

Part of the problem is that Hospitals (ect.) put little or no effort in retaining staff. They will spend thousands to recrut new rn's, but nothing on keeping those they have already. When a nurse is leaving, they don't try to get that nurse to stay. They are just short of saying "don't let the door hit you on the way out".

This sounds counter productive to me, if there is a nursing shortage you would want to keep them around, not constantly be hiring new ones to have them walk out.

Now it may be the case but that has to change if everything I hear about the "nursing shortage" is true, or maybe they will lower the standards of nursing so they can get them in faster.

lower standards = less pay = more profit.

How important is a RN?

I don't know.

Originally posted by koan

This sounds counter productive to me, if there is a nursing shortage you would want to keep them around, not constantly be hiring new ones to have them walk out.

Now it may be the case but that has to change if everything I hear about the "nursing shortage" is true, or maybe they will lower the standards of nursing so they can get them in faster.

lower standards = less pay = more profit.

How important is a RN?

I don't know.

On my unit we had an NP working as an RN. She wanted tele experience so she could further herself. She was one of the best nurses I have had the honor of working with. She was smart, caring, and knowledgeable, you name it, it was her.

She left as she felt "dumped on", but was willing to work per diam to keep her hand in.

HR didn't even bother to ask, and we lost her for good.

Originally posted by nialloh

Part of the problem is that Hospitals (ect.) put little or no effort in retaining staff. They will spend thousands to recrut new rn's, but nothing on keeping those they have already. When a nurse is leaving, they don't try to get that nurse to stay. They are just short of saying "don't let the door hit you on the way out".

The reality here is that NURSES don't want to let another nurse know that they are valuable...it goes against the thinking of nurses to acknowledge excellence in practice. Administrators, doctors, allied health care pro's know this...this is why nurses can't get anywhere, unless you are willing to step on other nurses; in case I never said it before, I'll say it now...The only enemy a nurse has is another nurse!!!