What would you change about Nursing to make it better?

Nurses General Nursing

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After reading many posts here on AllNurses, I read about nurses eating their young, no respect, not enough teamwork, lazyness, not enough clinical time, Nursing shortage (yeah right),etc....So I'm asking what would you change about Nursing to make it better? You can vent, post nothing or write something maybe your idea can help another RN come up with a solution to a problem.

Get rid of the drama. I can sympathize that your daughter/husband/dog has a drinking or drug problem, or you are unhappy because you have to take call, or you feel that Nancy Nurse is getting something you're not getting, but good grief.....DO YOUR JOB. No one is asking these people to do anything that everyone else is not expected to do, so it really drives me nuts when the drama queens get going.....thank goodness I don't have to see my coworkers very much as I work in the patients' homes.

I got rid of most of the co-worker drama by switching to nights. Much easier to provide care to 40-50 residents w/o dealing w/ the soap opera stuff. Drama breeds like a cancer if you can't find a way to remove yourself from it.

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Push through legislation to allow billing for nursing care. As long as paying for nurses is lumped in with the bed charge we will continue to be seen as the most expensive, most troublesome department and as not contributing to the bottom line. Nurses are the reason patients are admitted to hospital (face it, they see less of the MD while inpatient than in an office visit and nurses operate most of the specialty equipment that is the reason for admission), but no one who is not a nurse really recognizes the vital job we perform. Until nurses or hospitals can bill for our work we will never be recognized as the educated professionals we are, or treated as professionals either.

That would be a nice change for the better:yeah::up:

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Push through legislation to allow billing for nursing care. As long as paying for nurses is lumped in with the bed charge we will continue to be seen as the most expensive, most troublesome department and as not contributing to the bottom line. Nurses are the reason patients are admitted to hospital (face it, they see less of the MD while inpatient than in an office visit and nurses operate most of the specialty equipment that is the reason for admission), but no one who is not a nurse really recognizes the vital job we perform. Until nurses or hospitals can bill for our work we will never be recognized as the educated professionals we are, or treated as professionals either.

You are right Kayartea, but unfortunately in this economy it seems that patient care is not the priority for hospital admins, thus neither is nursing and money is. While the economy is the way it is, people in charge of hospital facilities will try and get as much labor out of one RN, LVN, CNA and make the arguement of "they did it why can't you?". The fact is that now days as long as the patient gets the nursing care (ooops) I meant patient care they need, it doesn't matter how they get it. One RN to whatever number of LVN's, CNA's they give you and it takes teamwork to accomplish that job. Plus, doctors are the reason patients are admitted to hospitals, but RN's, LVN's, CNA's are the ones who ensure they get out. Also, we as RN's need to educate the public about the importance of our jobs and the need for adequate RN's, LVN's, CNA's and patient ratios in hospitals. But until society opens up their eyes to what really is that we RN's do, it won't change. :twocents: :nurse:

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Specializes in Medic, ER, Flight, ICU, Onc.

Well, yes, and no. Doctors admit patients to the hospital for the nursing care. If it's something that can be taken care of solely by the physician it's done in the office, not the hospital. Nurses are the reason patients are admitted.

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Good replies from everyone Thank you:) I would also change on how hospital facilities use the economy to justify not hiring more nurses but then turn around and say that the ones who apply aren't qualified/experienced for the job. If the economy was that bad then bonuses wouldn't be given out.:nono: :thankya:

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Have any of you ever read the book "Code Green" Money-Driven Hospitals and the Dismantling of Nursing (The Culture and Politics of Health Care Work) by Dana Beth Weinberg and Suzanne Gordon

Thanks lee1 for recommending "Code Green" it is very interesting I just read it and it basically explains what we've been talking about for a long time now :up:

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The undermining, backstabbing and the non-support of each other. Realize that each shift has done their best to care for someone and a patient is what they is....I did not create them. Take what you get.

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I am not a nurse,( I am working on my RN degree), but I wanted to ask a question. In last few weeks that I decided to change careers I have heard and read a lot of horrible things that nurses have to endure, like mandatory overtime, burnout, predatory senior nurses and I ask myself "Am I making the right decision here?". Any advice for me? I have a thick skin as I have been a court clerk for 11 years and really want to go into the healthcare field. Am I making a mistake?

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I am not a nurse,( I am working on my RN degree), but I wanted to ask a question. In last few weeks that I decided to change careers I have heard and read a lot of horrible things that nurses have to endure, like mandatory overtime, burnout, predatory senior nurses and I ask myself "Am I making the right decision here?". Any advice for me? I have a thick skin as I have been a court clerk for 11 years and really want to go into the healthcare field. Am I making a mistake?

Only you can decide this. I'd recommend reading Nursing Against the Odds by Suzanne Gordon. Then, if you still want to become a nurse after reading the book, go for it.

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I am not a nurse,( I am working on my RN degree), but I wanted to ask a question. In last few weeks that I decided to change careers I have heard and read a lot of horrible things that nurses have to endure, like mandatory overtime, burnout, predatory senior nurses and I ask myself "Am I making the right decision here?". Any advice for me? I have a thick skin as I have been a court clerk for 11 years and really want to go into the healthcare field. Am I making a mistake?

No, you are not making a mistake, but only you can decide what your career path will be. Good luck in your future endeavours.

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